04/20/2026
If your child is under 7 and hasn’t seen an orthodontist yet — this is your sign.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Not because something is wrong. But because if something is developing incorrectly, age 7 is when we can actually do something about it.
Here’s why that window matters so much:
By age 7, your child’s first permanent molars have typically erupted — which gives us a clear picture of how the jaw is developing, how the bite is forming, and whether the airway is being impacted by the way the teeth and bones are growing.
By age 12, roughly 90% of facial growth is already complete.
That’s a very short window to make changes that are easy, effective, and non-invasive. Miss it, and the same problems become significantly more complex — and expensive — to correct later.