One of the questions you might find yourself thinking about as a parent is whether your child is old enough to start
early orthodontic treatment. There is no right age for a child to start with teeth straightening treatments, but dentists typically recommend starting around the age of 7. At this age, most of the child's permanent teeth should have erupted. It is the eruption of permanent teeth that lets a dentist know a child is old enough for orthodontic treatment.
Dentists might opt to start
early orthodontic treatment before the child reaches the age of 7 if they are already developing severe issues with their jaw. Generally speaking, it is easier to correct the alignment of teeth around the ages of 7 to 14 when the child's teeth are still developing.
As was mentioned earlier, there is no ideal age to start orthodontic treatments, but the American Academy of Orthodontists recommends taking children to the orthodontist before they reach the age of 7. The dentist will evaluate the child's dental habits, bite and airway to determine whether the child needs orthodontic treatment.
Not sure if your child needs orthodontic treatment? Here are some of the signs that problems with the alignment of your child's teeth and jaw might be developing:
Parents who notice any of these symptoms should schedule an appointment with an orthodontist.