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Most people have heard that children should first see an orthodontist by age 7 because this is what the American Association of Orthodontists has recommended for many years.
However, since Dr. John specializes in child growth and development, he sees children as young as 4 years old. By seeing children younger, Dr. John can watch how their jaw is growing, check how their bite is developing, and look for signs that a problem may be starting. In many cases, finding these problems earlier can help make treatment easier and less complex later.
Most Children Should See an Orthodontist by Age 7
The reason age 7 is recommended is because, by this age, children usually have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. This gives an orthodontist enough information to see how the teeth and jaws are developing.
At age 7, an orthodontist can often spot:
- Crowding
- Teeth coming in the wrong place
- Bite problems
- Jaw growth problems
- Mouth breathing or airway concerns
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends age 7 because, years ago, orthodontists did not have the advanced technology we have today. Age 7 was often the first time they could clearly see how a child’s teeth and jaws were developing.
Dr. John Evaluates Children as Young as age 4
Today, Dr. John is often able to see children as young as 4 because he specializes in child growth and development and uses advanced technology like 3D CBCT x-ray scans.
By seeing children younger, Dr. John may be able to find problems before they become more serious. For some children, this can help:
- Guide the jaws as they grow
- Create more room for adult teeth
- Help reduce crowding
- Improve breathing and airway development
- Make future treatment shorter or less complex
- In some cases, help avoid extractions or more extensive treatment later
A child does not need to have all of their adult teeth to be evaluated. In fact, seeing a child earlier often gives Dr. John more opportunity to guide growth while the child is still developing.
Our Free Growth Guidance Program
Not every child who comes to Dr. John needs treatment right away. If Dr. John feels your child is not ready yet, they can join our Free Growth Guidance Program.
With this program, Dr. John will continue to see your child every 6 to 12 months at no cost to make sure their teeth, jaws, and bite are developing correctly. This allows him to carefully watch your child as they grow and begin treatment only if and when it is truly needed.
Bringing your child in at a younger age can also help them become more comfortable with the orthodontist. Instead of waiting until there is a bigger problem, your child has time to get to know Dr. John and our team in a fun, easy, and stress-free way. For many children, this helps reduce fear or anxiety about dental and orthodontic visits later.
In Summary
Most children should first see an orthodontist by age 7. However, because Dr. John specializes in child growth and development, he often sees children as young as 4 years old. Seeing your child earlier can help identify problems sooner, make treatment easier, and help your child feel more comfortable at the orthodontist. If treatment is not needed yet, your child can join our Free Growth Guidance Program so Dr. John can continue to monitor their growth over time.