When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist?
If you're a parent, you've probably wondered when the right time is to bring your child in to see an orthodontist. Maybe their front teeth are starting to look a little crowded. Maybe their bite seems off. Or maybe you just want to be ahead of the game so you don't miss the window for early treatment.
The good news? There's a clear, easy answer — and it's earlier than most parents think.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that every child have their first orthodontic check-up by age 7.
That probably sounds young. Most 7-year-olds still have a mouth full of baby teeth, and the idea of braces is nowhere near the top of their list of worries. But the age 7 visit isn't about getting your child into braces right away. It's about catching small issues early before they become bigger, harder, and more expensive ones.
Here's what every parent in the St. Louis area should know.
By age 7, your child usually has a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth. The first permanent molars (the big ones in the back) have typically come in, and the front adult teeth are starting to come through, too.
That mix gives us a really clear picture. We can see how the jaw is growing, how the adult teeth are lining up, and whether there's enough room for the teeth that haven't come in yet. We can also spot problems that aren't always easy to see from the outside, like crowding under the gums, bite issues, or jaw growth that's headed in the wrong direction.
It's a lot like taking your car in for a routine check-up. You're not necessarily there because something is wrong. You're there to make sure everything is on track and to catch the little things before they turn into big ones.
We get asked this one a lot, and we get it — parents want to know what they're walking into so they can prep their kid (and themselves).Here's the honest answer: not much. The first visit is short, easy, and completely no-pressure.
At Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics, your child's first consultation is always complimentary. Here's what to expect:
Most kids leave the first visit excited that nothing happened, and a lot of parents leave relieved that the answer was, "Let's check back in a year," instead of, "We need to start treatment right away."
This is the part we want every parent to hear: an early visit does not mean early treatment. The vast majority of children we see at age 7 don't need anything done right away.
What usually happens is we put your child on what we call growth monitoring. That just means we check in every six to twelve months — at no cost — to watch how the teeth and jaw are developing. When the time is right for treatment (if it's ever needed), we'll know exactly when to start.
It's one of the best parts of an early visit. You get peace of mind, your child gets to know us in a low-stress way, and we get the chance to plan ahead instead of react.
Age 7 is the guideline, but some things are worth bringing in sooner. If you notice any of these, it's worth scheduling a visit — even if your child is younger:
None of these guarantee your child needs treatment. They're simply signs that warrant a quick evaluation from someone who does this every day. You don't need a referral from your dentist to schedule an orthodontic evaluation — you can call us directly.
When early treatment makes sense, we use what's called two-phase treatment. It sounds intimidating, but the concept is simple.
Phase 1 happens while your child still has some baby teeth — usually somewhere between ages 7 and 10. The goal isn't to straighten teeth. It's to guide jaw growth, create space for adult teeth, or correct a bite issue while the jaw is still flexible. It often takes less than a year.
Phase 2 comes later, once all the adult teeth have come in (typically during the early teen years). This is the more familiar phase — braces or Invisalign® to finish straightening everything out. Not every child needs both phases, and we never recommend Phase 1 unless we genuinely believe it'll save your child from a longer or more invasive treatment later. When two-phase treatment is the right call, each phase is priced individually, and each phase is less than a single comprehensive case would cost on its own.
Quick note for the adults reading this: there's no upper age limit on orthodontic treatment. We treat patients in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond. Healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age, and with options like Invisalign and ceramic braces, treatment fits into a professional life much more easily than it used to. If you've been thinking about orthodontic treatment for years and never pulled the trigger, the best time to come in is the same as it is for kids — when you're ready to find out what your options are. The consultation is free.
These days, you can get braces or aligners in a lot of places — even from your general dentist or through a mail-order company. Here's why it matters who you choose, especially for your child.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist. After four years of dental school, orthodontists complete an additional two to three years of full-time residency focused solely on moving teeth and guiding jaw growth. That's thousands of hours of training dedicated to orthodontics. At Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics, all of our doctors are board-certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, which is the highest credential in our field.
For a growing child, that experience matters. Spotting the difference between a normal stage of development and a problem that needs attention is a judgment call — and it's the call we've been trained to make.
If your child is approaching age 7 — or if you've noticed any of the signs above — we'd love to meet them. The first consultation is always complimentary, and there's never any pressure. You'll walk out knowing exactly where your child stands and what (if anything) needs to happen next.
Bankhead & Firth Orthodontics has four convenient locations serving St. Louis and SouthernIllinois:
Call: 314-843-5553
Website: www.bankheadandfirthortho.com
Follow Us: @bankfirthortho on Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook
Your child's smile is worth getting right — and getting started early is one of the easiest, smartest things you can do as a parent.
