Why Children Should See an Orthodontist at Age 7 | Elias Orthodontics

Why Children Should See an Orthodontist at Age 7 | Elias Orthodontics

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Why Children Should See an Orthodontist from Age 7: The Importance of Early Evaluation

Most parents assume that orthodontic treatment begins in the teenage years, but according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), every child should have their first orthodontic checkup by age 7. At Elias Orthodontics, we strongly support early evaluation because it allows us to guide jaw growth, identify developing problems, and create a smoother path toward a healthy smile.

In this article, we explain why age 7 is the ideal time for an orthodontic assessment, the benefits of early intervention, and how this proactive approach can save time, money, and future treatment complexity.

Why Age 7? Understanding Early Orthodontic Evaluation

By age 7, a child typically has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This combination gives your orthodontist an ideal window to identify subtle issues that may not be visible to a general dentist.

At this age, we can evaluate:

• Bite alignment (overbite, underbite, crossbite)

• Crowding or spacing of teeth

• Jaw growth and symmetry

• Habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting

• Airway or breathing concerns

• Eruption patterns of adult teeth

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Even if treatment isn’t needed at age 7, early evaluation allows us to monitor growth and intervene at the ideal time.

Top Benefits of Seeing an Orthodontist at Age 7

1. Detecting Problems Early (Before They Worsen)

Orthodontists are trained to spot growth or bite issues that may be developing behind the scenes. When identified early, many issues can be corrected more easily and with less-invasive methods.

Early detection helps us address:

• Crossbites

• Severe crowding

• Jaw growth concerns

• Impacted teeth

• Oral habits affecting development

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2. Guiding Jaw Growth for Better Facial Development

Certain orthodontic problems are skeletal rather than dental. At age 7–10, the jaw is still growing, making it possible to gently guide and shape development.

Early treatment can:

• Create more space for permanent teeth

• Improve bite alignment

• Reduce the need for future extractions

• Support healthy function and facial balance

This is far harder to achieve once the jaw stops growing in adolescence.

3. Preventing More Serious Problems Later

When orthodontic evaluations start early, we can often reduce or eliminate the need for complex treatment (and prevent orthodontic issues) during the teen years.

Examples include:

• Avoiding surgical correction of jaw problems

• Preventing severe crowding or tooth impaction

• Avoiding prolonged braces treatment

Early care often means shorter, simpler, and more comfortable treatment later.

4. Monitoring Growth and Development

Some children don’t need immediate treatment, and that is perfectly normal. At Elias Orthodontics, many 7–9-year-olds enter what we call growth observation.

This allows us to:

• Track jaw development

• Monitor new teeth as they erupt

• Intervene at the ideal moment

• Prevent avoidable complications

5. Boosting Confidence and Function

Early orthodontics isn’t about looks - the focus is function.

Proper alignment supports:

• Clearer speech

• Better chewing

• Reduced risk of tooth injury

• Improved self-esteem during formative years

A confident smile can make a tremendous difference in a child’s social, emotional, and academic development.

6. Addressing Harmful Oral Habits

hHabits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and tongue thrusting can impact jaw development and tooth alignment.

An early orthodontic assessment helps us:

• Identify the habit

• Understand the underlying cause

• Provide gentle, child-friendly habit correction strategies

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What Happens at Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit at Elias Orthodontics?

At our practice, an early orthodontic visit is comfortable, encouraging, and designed to help both you and your child feel confident.

Your visit includes:

• A digital 3D scan or X-rays (if needed)

• A complete orthodontic and growth evaluation

• Bite and jaw alignment assessment

• A personalized treatment plan only if necessary

We’ll always be honest - many children simply need monitoring, not treatment.

Signs Your Child Might Need Orthodontic Evaluation Sooner

Even before age 7, call us if you notice:

• Difficulty chewing or biting

• Speech problems

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• Teeth that don’t meet properly

• Crowded or blocked-out teeth

• Thumb sucking past age 4

• Clicking or shifting of the jaw

Early evaluation never harms, but delaying sometimes does.

Your Child’s Smile Starts Here

At Elias Orthodontics, we’re passionate about helping children grow into their healthiest, most confident smiles. An evaluation at age 7 is one of the best gifts you can give your child’s long-term oral health.

⭐ Want to book your child’s early orthodontic evaluation?

We’d love to welcome you into our orthodontic family.