If your child is around age 7, you’ve probably wondered:
- “Does my child need braces?”
- “How would I even know?”
- “Do all kids end up needing orthodontic treatment?”
Parenthood comes with a lot of questions, and these are some common ones to ask. They’re exactly why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic screening by age 7.
The East Side’s Board-Certified Children’s Orthodontist is Here to Help
Around age 7, your child may still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth, and that early combination can reveal important clues about how their smile, bite, and jaw are developing.
The good news? You don’t have to spot issues on your own. A professional orthodontic evaluation from a board-certified Issaquah and Sammamish orthodontist (Dr. Pawar!) helps identify potential concerns early, before they become more complex.
Not every child who visits us at age 7 will need braces right away. In many cases, we’ll simply monitor growth over time. However, if we identify developing bite or jaw problems, two-phase orthodontic treatment may be recommended to guide healthy jaw development while your child is still growing and reduce the need for more complex treatment later.
Let’s break down five common orthodontic issues in children and the signs parents should keep an eye on:
Sign #1: Crowded or Crooked Teeth
Crooked teeth and crowded teeth are two of the easiest orthodontic conditions to identify. If you notice that your child has teeth that are overlapping each other, growing at an angle, or aren’t in line with surrounding teeth, this can indicate a need for orthodontic treatment.
When teeth aren’t in alignment, it can be particularly difficult for children to brush and floss around each tooth thoroughly, which can increase the risk of cavities (tooth decay) and gum disease. Crooked/crowded teeth can also affect your child’s self-esteem and confidence.
Signs That Can Indicate Crowded Teeth
- Teeth that appear crowded or overlapping
- Difficulty biting or chewing food
- Difficulty speaking or pronouncing certain words
- Lack of confidence when smiling
Sign #2: Overbite or Underbite
Children whose jaw bones are not aligned may have an overbite or underbite condition.
- An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth excessively. This causes the upper teeth to hang over the lower teeth, making the chin and lower jaw bone appear recessed.
- The opposite of an overbite, an underbite occurs when the lower front teeth protrude past the upper front teeth. This causes the lower jaw bone to jut forward, and the upper teeth may sit inside of the lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
Both types of malocclusions (misalignments) can cause problems with chewing and speaking, jaw bone development, facial symmetry and proportion, and affect the overall appearance of the smile.
Because a child’s jaws are still developing, certain bite problems are often easier to correct during growth. In some cases, two-phase orthodontic treatment allows us to guide jaw development early before a full set of permanent teeth has erupted, helping create a healthier foundation for the future.
(You can see visuals of different bite issues here on the AAO’s site.)
Signs That Can Indicate a Bite Issue
- Teeth that appear to be sticking out or protruding
- Difficulty biting or chewing food
- Difficulty speaking or pronouncing certain words
- Recessed chin
- Lack of confidence when smiling
Sign #3: Baby Teeth That Aren’t Falling Out (or Adult Teeth Coming in Behind Them)
One of the most common things parents notice is when something just seems “off” with how teeth are coming in.
You might see:
- A permanent tooth growing in behind a baby tooth
- Baby teeth that don’t seem to be loosening or falling out on time
- Teeth coming in at unusual angles or in unexpected places
While this can be part of normal development, it can also be a sign that there isn’t enough space for incoming teeth or that guidance is needed as your child’s smile grows.
An orthodontic evaluation can help determine whether everything is on track or if early intervention could help prevent more complex issues later on.
If limited space or jaw development is contributing to the problem, early orthodontic treatment—including two-phase treatment when appropriate—may help create room for permanent teeth and reduce the risk of more significant crowding later.
Sign #4: Spacing Issues
Spacing issues occur when there are gaps between the teeth. This may be caused by a missing tooth, missing teeth, or teeth that are too small in proportion to the jaw bone.
Spacing issues can impact the appearance of the smile and make it difficult to properly clean between the teeth, leading to an increased risk of tooth decay (cavities) and gum disease. Gaps and irregular spacing can also have a significant impact on your child’s self-esteem and confidence.
Signs That Can Indicate Spacing Issues
- Gaps between the teeth
- Difficulty chewing food
- Food getting stuck between the teeth
- Lack of confidence when smiling
Sign #5: Lack of Confidence
The childhood/teen years are fundamental for building a strong sense of confidence and self-esteem. Loving your smile has everything to do with loving yourself!
- Studies by the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research show the significant impact that a child or teen’s smile can have on their self esteem. In a study conducted on 10 to 17-year-olds, the presence of dental issues had a “profound impact on aesthetics and psychosocial behavior.”
- Similarly, studies by the AAO show that “1 in 4 adults avoid smiling due to the condition of their mouth and teeth. And 1 in 5 adults experience anxiety due to the condition of their mouth and teeth.”
These feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem are completely preventable! Starting orthodontic treatment at an early age can allow us to work alongside the natural development of the teeth and jaws, reducing treatment time and preventing mental and physical issues from progressing.
What to Do if My Child Needs Braces
Fortunately, all of these conditions can be treated with orthodontics for kids! If you notice any of these signs in your child, we encourage you to request a complimentary consultation with our team. We’d love to meet you!
Early intervention can prevent more serious orthodontic issues from developing and can ensure that your child’s teeth and jaws develop properly. For some children, this means monitoring growth until the timing is right. For others, two-phase orthodontic treatment may be recommended to address jaw development or bite concerns before comprehensive braces or Invisalign treatment begins.
We offer free orthodontic exams for children, teens, and adults, because we want you and your child to get answers from a professional, with no risk and no cost.
Our board-certified children’s orthodontist, Dr. Pawar, will perform a full orthodontic exam, including a physical assessment, digital impressions and diagnostic photos, to get the full picture of your child’s smile.
Personalized Orthodontics for Kids in Issaquah & Sammamish, WA
If Dr. Pawar determines that your child needs or would benefit from orthodontics, we’ll help you determine the right treatment route for your child’s case.
We create a personalized treatment plan for every smile, because everyone’s needs are different. Depending on your child’s needs, we may recommend observation, two-phase orthodontic treatment, braces, Invisalign® for teens, or a specialized orthodontic appliance. Every recommendation is based on your child’s unique smile, bite, and stage of development.
If you’re looking for a pediatric orthodontist in Issaquah or Sammamish, we’d love to help. Book your complimentary consultation at our orthodontic office in Issaquah or Sammamish today.
