This is perfectly normal and with time, most children's faces will grow to make room for their adult teeth. However, if your child has crooked, overlapping or overcrowded teeth, an overbite or underbite, or if you’ve simply noticed changes to your child’s teeth which are affecting their ability to eat or breathe through their mouth, your child would most likely benefit from orthodontics, whether it be braces, Invisalign or some other form of treatment. Some orthodontic conditions are easier to correct if treated sooner rather than later. Early treatment can prevent more severe problems later on by addressing teeth and jaw development while kids are still growing. We recommend bringing your child to their first orthodontic exam at age seven. This gives your dentist the chance to diagnose any issues and determine if your child would best benefit from early treatment before their face has finished growing, or if an issue is best treated later in life.
Every child is unique in their growth and development, and each has specific treatment needs. Your dentist is often the first to notice signs of any conditions that may require braces to help your child achieve ideal facial growth, guide adult teeth into a better position, improve the appearance of their teeth, lips and face, and lower the risk of trauma to their front teeth. Starting regular orthodontic exams does not mean your child will necessarily start orthodontic treatment straight away, or may not even need it at all, but gives your dentist the chance to find and monitor any underlying issues early on so they can provide the best treatment at the best time.