Why early evaluation is so important:

• Allows your orthodontist to be involved early to help correct and guide the growth of your child's jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight

• Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches if needed

• Create more space for crowded teeth, so adult teeth can come in without getting stuck or delayed

• Help correct thumb sucking and potentially help improve minor speech problem

 

What to look for to know if it’s time to see an orthodontist:

• Recommendation from your dentist

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• A hard time chewing or biting into foods

• Mouth breathing

• Sleep related issues/sleep apnea

• Lip entrapment

• Obvious tongue thrust/tongue tied/speech impediments

• Finger or thumb sucking

• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth

• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing

• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all

• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face

• Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight