What Age Should Children See an Orthodontist? (Expert Guide by Dr. Pal)
Parents often wonder when their child should have their first orthodontic evaluation. The answer may surprise you:
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child see an orthodontist by age 7.
This early visit does not mean your child will need braces right away — in fact, most kids don’t. Instead, it provides valuable insight into how their smile, bite, and jaw are developing.
Why Age 7 is the Ideal Time for an Orthodontic Evaluation
By age 7, children typically have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. This gives your orthodontist an early view of how the future smile will form. At this stage, we can detect issues long before they become harder (and more costly) to correct.
At Pal Orthodontics of La Jolla, Dr. Pal evaluates:
Bite alignment (overbite, underbite, crossbite)
Jaw growth and symmetry
Spacing or crowding concerns
Airway development
Habits like thumb-sucking or mouth breathing
Eruption patterns of adult teeth
Identifying these early helps guide growth in the right direction.
Early Orthodontic Care Helps Prevent Bigger Problems Later
Seeing an orthodontist at age 7 is about being proactive, not reactive:
✔ Correct jaw growth while a child is still developing
Early intervention can guide the jaws into better positions — something that becomes much harder in the teen years.
✔ Prevent the need for extractions or jaw surgery
Proper spacing and early growth guidance often eliminate the need to for jaw surgery or permanent tooth extraction in the future.
✔ Improve airway and breathing
Palatal expanders and early appliances can widen the airway, helping with snoring, mouth breathing, or sleep disordered breathing.
✔ Boost confidence early
Some children benefit from early alignment that can greatly improve self-esteem by giving them a smile they display with pride.
Does My Child Need Braces at Age 7?
Usually not.
Most children do not begin treatment until ages 11–13, once most adult teeth are in place.
The early visit is simply a checkup — think of it as an orthodontic “annual physical.”
At Pal Orthodontics, we closely monitor your child’s growth with periodic check-ins (free of charge), ensuring treatment starts at the ideal moment.
Signs Your Child May Need an Orthodontic Evaluation
Schedule an orthodontic visit if you notice:
Crowded or misplaced teeth
Difficulty chewing
Mouth breathing
Thumb-sucking after age 5
Early or late loss of baby teeth
Jaw clicking or shifting
Crossbite (top teeth sit inside bottom teeth)
These are red flags that evaluation should happen soon!
Why Choose Pal Orthodontics of La Jolla for Your Child?
Dr. Arvin Pal provides a boutique, family-focused orthodontic experience where every child is treated as if they were his own. Our approach is gentle, conservative, and growth-guided — focusing on long-term facial, airway, and dental health.
Parents love that:
We specialize in children’s orthodontics and early treatment
We monitor growth until treatment is needed
We offer braces, Invisalign, expanders, retainers, and airway-focused care
We create a fun, welcoming environment for kids
We offer free orthodontic consultations
Schedule Your Child’s Free Orthodontic Evaluation
Whether your child is 7 or older, we’re here to help you understand how their smile is developing.
👉 Schedule a free consultation:
palorthodontics.com/free-orthodontic-consult
Your child’s future smile starts with a simple early visit.