This is the second of two articles about best orthodontic practices for kids. In this part, we share what orthodontists are searching for and why orthodontic evaluation is important for oral health and hygiene.
Orthodontists are trained to evaluate much more than whether teeth appear straight. At age 7, they assess how the teeth, jaws, airway and facial growth patterns are working together. Common areas they review include:
Bite alignment
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Open bite
Spacing and crowding
- Teeth erupting out of position
- Limited space for adult teeth
- Early signs of crowding
Jaw development
- Narrow upper jaw
- Asymmetrical growth patterns
- Shifting during biting
Eruption patterns
- Missing teeth
- Extra teeth
- Delayed or blocked eruption
Growth-influencing habits
- Thumb or finger habits
- Mouth breathing
- Tongue posture patterns
Many of these concerns are easiest to guide while a child is still growing.
Early monitoring does not mean early braces
One of the most common misconceptions parents have is that an orthodontic visit at age 7 automatically leads to treatment.
In reality:
- Some children benefit from early intervention.
- Many are simply monitored as they grow.
- Most comprehensive treatment begins later, typically between ages 10–14.
Early evaluation ensures treatment happens at the right time, not necessarily the earliest time. That distinction matters.
Modern orthodontics offers more comfortable options than ever
When early treatment is helpful, today’s orthodontic solutions are designed with comfort, appearance and lifestyle flexibility in mind.
For example, newer technologies like the Invisalign Palatal Expander allow orthodontists to guide jaw development using a modern alternative to traditional expanders, often with improved comfort and aesthetics. Combined with remote progress tracking through Dental Monitoring, families benefit from fewer unnecessary appointments while still receiving attentive, personalized care.
Orthodontics today is more precise, more efficient and more family-friendly than ever before.
A simple step that supports a lifetime smile
An early orthodontic evaluation is one of the easiest ways parents can support their child’s long-term oral health and confidence. Even when treatment isn’t needed immediately, early monitoring allows families to:
- Stay ahead of developing concerns
- Plan treatment around busy schedules
- Reduce the chance of complex corrections later
- Support healthy facial growth and alignment
- Move forward with clarity and confidence
A short visit today can make a lasting difference tomorrow.
Any content, resident submissions, guest columns, advertisements, and advertorials are not necessarily endorsed by or represent the views of Best Version Media LLC (BVM) or any municipality, homeowners associations, businesses, or organizations that this publication serves. BVM is not responsible for the reliability, suitability, or timeliness of any content submitted, inclusive of materials generated or composed through artificial intelligence (AI). All content submitted is done so at the sole discretion of the submitting party.
