When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist?

ByDr.O Reading Time: 5 minutes
When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist? | Othman Orthodontics in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist?

As a parent, you want to give your child the best start in life—including a healthy, confident smile. But many parents aren’t sure when their child should first see an orthodontist or how early orthodontic visits actually help.

At Othman Orthodontics, with offices in Lombard, IL and Orland Park, IL, we see children from across the western and southwestern suburbs. We follow the American Association of Orthodontists’ recommendation: every child should have an orthodontic evaluation by age 7.

That doesn’t mean every child needs braces right away. In fact, many do not. But an early check allows us to spot developing problems and decide whether your child would benefit from:

Why Age 7 Is an Important Milestone

Around age 7, most children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This “early mixed dentition” stage gives us a valuable window into:

  • How the jaws are growing.
  • Whether there is enough space for permanent teeth.
  • How the upper and lower teeth fit together (the bite).
  • Whether harmful habits (like thumb sucking or mouth breathing) are affecting growth.

That’s why we encourage parents in Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville and Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport to schedule an early evaluation even if their child’s teeth “look fine” at first glance.

What Happens at a Child’s First Orthodontic Visit?

A first visit at Othman Orthodontics is comfortable, educational and pressure-free. During your child’s orthodontic consultation in Lombard or orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, we will:

  • Review medical and dental history.
  • Look at your child’s teeth, bite and jaw alignment.
  • Evaluate growth patterns and tooth eruption.
  • Take X-rays or photos if needed for a clearer picture.
  • Explain any current or potential orthodontic issues in simple terms.

You’ll leave with a clear understanding of your child’s smile, plus one of two outcomes:

  • “Everything looks good for now” – We may just monitor growth with periodic checkups.
  • “We recommend early/interceptive treatment” – We’ll explain options, timing and benefits.

What Is Interceptive (Phase I) Orthodontic Treatment?

Interceptive treatment, sometimes called Phase I treatment, is early orthodontic care designed to:

  • Guide the growth of the jaws.
  • Create room for crowded permanent teeth.
  • Correct crossbites, underbites or deep overbites.
  • Address habits like thumb sucking that affect tooth and jaw development.

Interceptive treatment can include:

  • Palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw.
  • Partial braces on the front teeth.
  • Guidance appliances or early clear aligner-style options (similar to Invisalign Phase I in appropriate cases).

The goal isn’t to achieve the final, perfect smile at this stage. Instead, we’re setting the foundation so that:

  • The bite develops more normally.
  • Permanent teeth have a better chance to erupt into good positions.
  • Future treatment (Phase II braces or Invisalign) may be simpler, shorter and more predictable.

Does Every Child Need Early Treatment?

No. Many children we see in Lombard and Orland Park don’t need early treatment at all. Instead, we simply:

  • Monitor growth and tooth eruption every 6–12 months.
  • Time comprehensive treatment (full braces or Invisalign) for when it will be most effective.

Sometimes the best decision is to wait. An early visit gives you confidence in that decision and ensures we’re not missing a problem that would be easier to address sooner.

Signs Your Child May Need an Early Orthodontic Evaluation

Even before age 7, you may notice signs that your child could benefit from an orthodontic check. For example:

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth.
  • Very crowded or spaced teeth in the front.
  • Difficulty biting or chewing food.
  • Jaws that shift to one side when biting.
  • Mouth breathing much of the time.
  • Thumb or finger sucking past age 5–6.
  • Teeth that stick out significantly (overjet or “buck teeth”).
  • Upper and lower teeth that don’t meet properly (open bite or crossbite).
  • Speech issues related to tongue position or tooth alignment.

If you notice any of these, it’s a good idea to schedule a visit—even if your child is younger than 7.

Benefits of Seeing an Orthodontist at Age 7

An early visit doesn’t always mean early treatment, but it does offer important benefits:

  • Peace of mind – You’ll know whether things are on track or if a concern is developing.
  • Better timing – If treatment is needed, we can time it to match your child’s growth.
  • Less invasive options – Early intervention may reduce the need for extractions or surgery later.
  • Improved function – Correcting bite or crossbite early can help with chewing and jaw comfort.
  • Improved confidence – Addressing very visible issues early can help children feel better about their smile.

What About Invisalign for Children?

In some cases, especially for older children and pre-teens, we may recommend aligner-style options similar to Invisalign Phase I. These are specially designed for younger patients and can address:

  • Mild to moderate crowding.
  • Spacing issues.
  • Certain bite discrepancies.

For other children, traditional expanders and partial braces may be a better fit. We’ll explain all appropriate options for your child and help you decide together.

Early Orthodontic Care in Lombard & Orland Park, IL

Lombard Office

Our Lombard office welcomes children from Lombard, Downers Grove, Elmhurst, Wheaton, Villa Park, Oak Brook, Oakbrook Terrace, Hinsdale, Westmont, Lisle, Naperville and nearby areas. We offer:

Orland Park Office

Our Orland Park office serves Orland Park, Tinley Park, Palos Heights, Palos Park, Homer Glen, Oak Forest, Mokena, Frankfort, New Lenox, Lockport and surrounding communities with the same child-focused early orthodontic care.

Schedule Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit

If your child is around age 7—or you’re noticing possible orthodontic issues at any age—now is the perfect time to schedule a visit.

Contact Othman Orthodontics to request an orthodontic consultation in Lombard, IL or an orthodontic consultation in Orland Park, IL. We’ll evaluate your child’s smile, explain what we see and help you plan the right next steps—whether that’s simple monitoring or early treatment to guide a healthy, beautiful smile for life.

Similar Posts