SIGNS YOUR CHILD MIGHT NEED EARLY ORTHODONTIC ASSESSMENT

Introduction

Early orthodontic intervention—often called Phase One treatment—isn’t about giving every seven-year-old braces. Instead, it’s about “interceptive” care: identifying structural issues while the jaw is still growing and the adult teeth are still finding their way.
​The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic check-up by age 7. By this age, the first adult molars have usually erupted, establishing the back bite and allowing a dentist to evaluate side-to-side and front-to-back tooth relationships.

​Visual Signs: What to Look For

As a parent, you are the first line of defense. Keep an eye out for these physical indicators:
​1. Crowding or Misplaced Teeth
​If there seems to be “too many teeth for too little mouth,” or if adult teeth are erupting behind baby teeth (sometimes called “shark teeth”), your child may have a narrow arch that needs expansion.
​2. Protruding Teeth (“Buck Teeth”)
​Teeth that stick out significantly are more than a cosmetic concern; they are much more prone to accidental fracture or chipping during sports or play.
​3. Bite Misalignment
​Underbite: The lower front teeth sit in front of the upper teeth.
​Crossbite: The upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down. This can cause the jaw to shift to one side, leading to asymmetrical facial growth.
​Deep Bite (Overbite): The upper teeth completely cover the lower teeth.
​Open Bite: There is a gap between the upper and lower teeth even when the back molars are touching.
​Functional Signs: Beyond the Smile
​Sometimes the signs aren’t about how the teeth look, but how the mouth functions.
​4. Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
​Baby teeth act as “space maintainers” for adult teeth. If they are lost too early (due to decay or injury) or linger too long, the adult teeth may erupt in the wrong position or become impacted (trapped).
​5. Mouth Breathing
​If your child breathes primarily through their mouth, it can alter the development of the face and jaw. Mouth breathing often leads to a “long” face shape and a narrow upper arch, which contributes to crowding.
​6. Difficulty Chewing or Biting
​If your child frequently bites their cheek or the roof of their mouth, or if they struggle to bite into a piece of fruit, it may indicate that their teeth don’t meet properly.
​7. Finger or Thumb Sucking Habits
​Prolonged sucking habits after age 5 or 6 can push the front teeth forward and narrow the upper jaw, often creating an “open bite” where the front teeth don’t touch.

The Benefits Of Early Assessment

By catching these issues early, we can often:
​1. Guide jaw growth to create a more symmetrical face.
​2. Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth.
​3. Correct harmful oral habits (like thumb sucking).
​4. Create room for erupting adult teeth, potentially avoiding the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life.
​5. Simplify and shorten the time needed for “Phase Two” braces during the teenage years.

​A Note for Parents
​An early assessment doesn’t always mean immediate treatment. In many cases, it simply means we “monitor and wait,” checking in every six months to ensure the teeth are erupting as they should.
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