When Should My Child See an Orthodontist for the First Time?

Most parents assume orthodontics is something you think about once permanent teeth are mostly in and a dentist mentions it. In reality, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first evaluation by age 7 — years before most kids get braces.

Why So Early?

At age 7, most kids still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, and their jaw is still growing. That combination makes it the ideal window to catch developing issues — like crowding, bite misalignment, or jaw growth problems — while they’re still easy to influence, sometimes without full braces at all.

It Doesn’t Mean Immediate Treatment

This is what surprises many parents: an early evaluation doesn’t automatically mean your child needs braces right away. Some children will benefit from early treatment, while others are better served by simply monitoring their growth and development. The purpose of an evaluation is to determine which path is right for your child, and if treatment isn’t needed yet, to know exactly what we’re watching for and when to check back. It’s about making the right decision at the right time, not starting treatment before it’s needed.

Signs Worth Watching For

• Losing baby teeth very early or very late
• Crowded or overlapping teeth coming in
• Difficulty chewing or noticeable jaw shifting
• Thumb or finger sucking that continues past age 5

The Bottom Line

An early evaluation costs you nothing and gives you real peace of mind — either confirming everything is developing normally, or catching something early enough to make future treatment simpler and shorter.