When to see an Orthodontist

There is no one answer to this question because each orthodontic problem determines its own best starting time. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child visit an orthodontist by age 7 or earlier if a problem is detected by the parents, family dentist, or physician.

Recognize any of these early warning signs? It might be time to schedule an orthodontic exam.

Early or late loss of baby teeth
Difficulty chewing or biting
Mouth breathing
Finger sucking or other oral habits
Crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth
Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or are recessed
Speech difficulty
Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
Protruding teeth
Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don't meet at all
Facial imbalance or asymmetry
Grinding or clinching of teeth

Problems to Watch for in Children

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