When Is the Right Time to See an Orthodontist?

Posted on January 21, 2019

Parents often wonder when the right time is for their child to see an Orthodontist.  It can all be very intimidating for the parent, but also for the child.

Common Orthodontic questions:

• Do we see the Orthodontist once all baby teeth are gone?
• Do we wait for our Dentist to mention Orthodontics?
• I see a lot of children that have braces in middle school. Does my child need to be seen as a preteen as well?
• My child’s teeth look straight to me, so they won’t need braces, right?

All of these common questions can make even thinking about going to an orthodontist confusing.  The first thing to keep in mind is that every child is different and develops at their own pace. When one child may be ready for braces, another child the same age might not be.

So when is the right time to start Orthodontic treatment for my child?

According to the American Association of Orthodontists, “all children should have an initial evaluation with an Orthodontist at the age of 7”. These early evaluations are for the Orthodontist to check the growth and development of the child’s teeth, not to start treatment necessarily. 

At Cardinal Orthodontics, the first consultation with a child at the age of  7 typically turn into an annual visit to keep an eye on development until ready for Orthodontic treatment. Even though there may be no treatment recommended at the initial visit, the regular visits allow Dr. James to assess the child’s development and intercept any potential growth issues early on. These visits also allow the child to get used to going to the Orthodontist if they will need treatment later on. At Cardinal Orthodontics we see patients of all ages and like to remind people that it is never too late to look into Braces or Invisalign.