As a parent, you want the best for your child’s health, and that includes their smile. But when is the right time to schedule that first visit to the orthodontist? Both the Canadian Association of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists recommend that every child have an orthodontic evaluation by age seven. At Centrepointe Orthodontics, we follow this guideline to help Ottawa families catch potential issues early.
This article explains why age seven is so important, what to expect during your child’s first visit, and how early evaluation can benefit your child’s long-term oral health.
Why Age Seven? The Science Behind the Recommendation
By age seven, most children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This stage of development gives an orthodontist a clear window into how the teeth, jaw, and facial structure are forming. An experienced orthodontist like Dr. Dzmitry Zhylich can identify potential problems at this age that may not be obvious to parents or even general dentists.
At this point in development, all the baby teeth should have come through, and the first permanent molars and incisors are typically in place. This allows the orthodontist to evaluate the bite relationship, jaw growth, and tooth spacing with confidence.
What an Early Evaluation Can Detect
During an initial orthodontic assessment, the orthodontist will look for several key indicators that may require future treatment:
- Crowding or spacing issues — teeth that are overlapping, twisted, or have gaps between them
- Bite problems — including crossbites, underbites, overbites, and open bites
- Jaw growth discrepancies — upper and lower jaws that don’t align properly
- Early or late loss of baby teeth — which can signal underlying alignment issues
- Habits affecting development — such as prolonged thumb sucking or mouth breathing
Most children evaluated at age seven will not need immediate treatment. In many cases, the orthodontist will simply monitor growth and development over time, recommending treatment only when the timing is optimal. Learn more about common orthodontic problems that can be identified early.
Understanding Phase One Orthodontic Treatment
When early intervention is recommended, it’s known as Phase One orthodontics. This type of treatment typically begins around age eight or nine and addresses specific developmental issues before all permanent teeth have emerged.
Goals of Phase One Treatment
Phase One treatment focuses on correcting the growth of the jaw, addressing certain bite problems like underbites or crossbites, and creating room for permanent teeth to come in properly. By addressing these issues early, Phase One treatment can lessen the chance of extractions in the future and shorten the overall orthodontic program.
Common Phase One Appliances
Early treatment may involve a palatal expander to widen the upper jaw, braces on a limited number of teeth, or other orthodontic appliances designed to guide jaw growth and tooth eruption.
Signs Your Child May Need Early Orthodontic Attention
While a professional evaluation is always best, there are some signs parents can watch for that may indicate an orthodontic consultation is needed:
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing or chronic snoring
- Thumb sucking that continues past age five
- Teeth that don’t come together in a normal manner
- Protruding teeth — top or bottom teeth that extend away from each other
- Early or late loss of baby teeth (typically, children begin losing teeth around age five and have all permanent teeth by age 13)
- Speech difficulties
- Jaws that shift, click, or make sounds
If you notice any of these signs, don’t wait until age seven. Schedule a consultation sooner to ensure your child’s development is on track.
What Happens If You Wait Too Long?
Delaying orthodontic evaluation doesn’t mean your child can’t receive treatment later. However, early detection offers distinct advantages. Problems identified and addressed in childhood are often simpler and less expensive to treat than the same issues in adolescence or adulthood.
For instance, a crossbite left untreated during childhood may require more complex intervention — or even surgical orthodontics — if addressed later. Early intervention takes advantage of your child’s natural growth patterns to guide development more effectively.
Your Child’s First Visit to Centrepointe Orthodontics
At Centrepointe Orthodontics, we make every child’s first visit comfortable and stress-free. Our fully digital office uses digital X-rays, photos, and intraoral scanning — no messy impressions needed. Dr. Zhylich will evaluate your child’s teeth, jaw, and bite, and discuss any findings with you in clear, straightforward terms.
If treatment is recommended, we’ll explain the options, timeline, and costs transparently. If your child doesn’t need treatment yet, we’ll create a monitoring plan and schedule follow-up visits to track development. Families across Nepean, Barrhaven, Kanata, and Bells Corners trust our team with their children’s smiles.
Ready to schedule your child’s first evaluation? Visit our appointment request page or call us at (613) 225-5511. The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have for your child’s smile.
