Advice · Children
When should a child first see an orthodontist?
Why age 7?
Around age 7 a child has a mix of baby and permanent teeth. You can already see how the upper and lower jaws relate, whether there is enough room for the permanent teeth and what the bite is like. The jaws are still growing fast — and that growth can be guided. In adults this is no longer possible.
Orthodontic associations around the world also recommend a first check-up around age 7. That doesn't mean a seven-year-old will get braces — it means the orthodontist takes a look while everything can still be guided simply.
Signs parents should watch for
- The teeth are crowded, or permanent teeth come in behind the baby teeth
- The lower front teeth close in front of the upper ones
- The front teeth don't touch when the child bites
- The upper teeth stick out a lot
- The child sucks a thumb or dummy after age 4
- The child breathes through the mouth all the time or snores
- Baby teeth fall out much earlier or later than in other children of the same age
- The chin or jaw seems shifted to one side
If you notice any of these, don't wait until age 7 — get in touch earlier.
What happens at the first visit?
The first visit is a conversation and a look in the mouth — no drilling and no injections. We look at the teeth, bite, facial profile and habits. If needed, we take an OPG X-ray at the practice. Afterwards you'll hear one of three things:
- All is well — see you for a check-up in a year.
- We follow the growth — a check-up in a few months, so we don't miss the right moment.
- Treatment is needed — you get a plan, usually with removable braces.
How to prepare your child
Tell your child you are going so that “the doctor can look at your teeth” and that nothing will hurt — because it won't. Avoid words like “drill” or “injection”. It also helps if you are relaxed yourself: children pick up on their parents' nerves.