How to Spot the Warning Signs and What to Do Next
Did you know that the Canadian Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7? While most parents associate braces with the teen years, some orthodontic concerns are easier and more effective to treat earlier.
Early treatment doesn’t mean putting braces on a 7-year-old. It means identifying potential issues before they become more serious, so we can guide jaw development and tooth alignment proactively.
If you’re a parent of a child between the ages of 7 and 10, this guide will help you recognize the signs that it might be time to book an orthodontic evaluation.
What Is Early Orthodontic Treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment, also known as interceptive orthodontics, is a proactive approach to correcting dental issues in young children, often before all their adult teeth have come in. This early phase of treatment can help:
- Create more space for crowded teeth
- Guide jaw growth and alignment
- Improve speech and breathing patterns
- Reduce the need for more extensive treatment later
Early treatment doesn’t always mean braces. Sometimes it involves expanders, partial braces, or removable appliances, depending on your child’s specific needs.
If you’re searching for early orthodontic treatment in Alberta, it’s important to choose a specialist who understands the unique dental and facial development of growing children.
Why Age 7 Is the Ideal Time for Evaluation
By age 7, most children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This makes it easier for orthodontists to identify:
- Problems with bite alignment (underbite, overbite, crossbite)
- Signs of crowding or spacing
- Jaw growth patterns
- Early habits affecting teeth (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting)
Catching these issues early allows your kids’ orthodontist in Alberta or elsewhere in Alberta to guide proper development and avoid more complex issues during adolescence.
What Are the Signs?
1. Difficulty Chewing or Biting
If your child struggles with chewing food properly, it could be more than just a picky eater phase. Biting or chewing problems are often caused by bite misalignment, which can affect:
- Jaw function
- Digestive health
- Oral development
Watch how your child eats. Are they biting into food awkwardly? Shifting their jaw to chew on one side? These could be signs of an underlying orthodontic issue that warrants attention.
2. Mouth Breathing or Speech Difficulties
Mouth breathing can be a symptom of more than allergies; it may signal a narrow jaw or an underdeveloped palate, which can restrict airflow and lead to sleep disturbances. Children who breathe through their mouths consistently may also show:
- Dry lips or mouth
- Snoring
- Fatigue during the day
- Changes in facial development over time
Speech issues, like lisping or unclear articulation, can also be linked to jaw and tooth misalignment. An orthodontist can assess whether early treatment could help resolve these concerns.
If you’re seeing these signs, consider scheduling a consultation with a children’s orthodontist familiar with early-stage interventions.
3. Crowded Front Teeth Around Age 7–8
Crowding is one of the most common orthodontic concerns and is especially noticeable in the upper or lower front teeth. If your child’s new adult teeth are overlapping, twisting, or erupting at odd angles, early evaluation is essential.
Severe crowding in early childhood can indicate that the jaw isn’t developing enough space for incoming permanent teeth. Without treatment, this can lead to:
- Impacted teeth (teeth that don’t erupt at all)
- Shifting bite
- Longer, more intensive treatment later on
In many cases, early intervention using expanders or space maintainers can reduce the need for tooth extractions or longer rounds of braces in the teenage years.
4. Premature or Delayed Loss of Baby Teeth
The timing of baby teeth loss is another early indicator of orthodontic development. Both premature loss and delayed exfoliation (when baby teeth stay too long) can cause problems.
If baby teeth fall out too soon, neighboring teeth may drift into the space, blocking permanent teeth from erupting correctly. On the flip side, baby teeth that linger past age 12 may disrupt the eruption path of adult teeth, leading to crowding or alignment issues.
Parents should consult an orthodontist if they notice:
- Baby teeth are lost before age 5
- Permanent teeth are coming in while baby teeth remain
- Significant delays in baby tooth loss after age 9
A trained specialist in early orthodontic treatment in Alberta can help monitor your child’s dental timeline and make adjustments before problems take hold.
5. Misaligned Jaw or Crossbite
Does your child’s jaw click, shift to one side, or look asymmetrical when they chew or speak? These could be signs of a jaw alignment issue, such as:
- Underbite: Lower jaw sticks out past upper jaw
- Overbite: Upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth
- Crossbite: Upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside
These bite issues can cause:
- Uneven tooth wear
- Jaw pain or strain
- Facial imbalance
- Difficulty with eating and speaking
Crossbites are easier to correct when your child is still growing. Waiting too long can lead to permanent skeletal issues that may require surgery in adulthood.
How Early Treatment Helps
The goal of early treatment is not to finish all orthodontic work early it’s to set the stage for a healthier, more efficient treatment process later.
Benefits include:
- Better outcomes with fewer complications
- Reduced risk of impacted or extracted teeth
- More stable bite alignment
- Improved self-esteem as children grow
If your orthodontist determines that early treatment is appropriate, the process usually involves Phase 1 treatment (around ages 7–10), followed by Phase 2 (typically braces in the teen years). Not every child will need Phase 1 treatment, but the evaluation provides peace of mind.
What Happens at the First Orthodontic Visit?
At Edge Orthodontics, your child’s first visit is friendly, informative, and low-pressure. Here’s what to expect:
- A full visual exam of your child’s bite and jaw development
- Panoramic X-rays to assess tooth positioning
- Discussion about growth patterns, timing, and possible interventions
- Time for questions and guidance on next steps
Even if no immediate treatment is needed, early evaluations give us a valuable baseline to monitor your child’s growth over time.
Book Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation Today
If your child is showing any of the five signs mentioned above, don’t wait. The earlier we evaluate, the more options we have for guiding healthy development and minimizing future challenges. Book now!