The Best Age to Start Orthodontic Evaluations in Children

When it comes to your child’s smile, timing is everything. Experts from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) and the Canadian Association of Orthodontists (CAO) recommend that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around age 7. Why? Because at this age, your child’s mouth contains a mix of baby and permanent teeth — giving orthodontists a clear look at how the jaw and bite are developing.

At Lasting Smiles, your trusted family dentist Bethlehem, we emphasize the importance of early dental assessments to set the stage for a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.

Why Age 7?

By age seven, most children have their first permanent molars, which help establish the foundation of the bite. This mixed dentition phase is ideal for identifying issues like:

• Jaw misalignment

• Overbites and underbites

• Crossbites

• Crowding

• Prolonged thumb sucking habits

Early evaluation allows orthodontists to assess jaw growth and dental alignment in three dimensions: front-to-back, side-to-side, and vertical positioning. These insights can guide interceptive treatments that reduce the need for more invasive procedures in the future.

The Power of Early Intervention

Starting early can help your child avoid complex and expensive treatments down the road. Here’s how early orthodontic care makes a difference:

Preventive Monitoring

Not all children need braces right away. An evaluation at age 7 allows your Bethlehem family dentist to track growth and intervene only when necessary — saving time, discomfort, and cost.

Customized Treatment Planning

Children who do need treatment benefit from tailored orthodontic plans. Treatments such as palatal expansion are most effective when a child’s jaw is still growing.

Improved Outcomes

Early correction of bite issues or jaw discrepancies often means shorter treatment times and a more natural, attractive smile.

Does My Child Need to Be Seen Earlier?

While age 7 is the ideal baseline, there are some signs that may indicate your child needs to see a dentist near me even sooner:

• Difficulty chewing or biting

• Mouth breathing or snoring

• Speech issues

• Clicking or popping of the jaw

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• Crowded or misplaced teeth

• Thumb-sucking beyond age 5

At Lasting Smiles, we evaluate all of these factors and more during your child’s first orthodontic visit.

Full-Service Pediatric and Cosmetic Dentistry in Bethlehem

Orthodontic health is just one piece of the puzzle. That’s why we offer comprehensive dental care for children and adults alike.

Looking to brighten your child’s smile or your own? We provide teeth whitening Bethlehem using the latest safe and effective methods. If you or your teen are interested in improving your smile aesthetics, our expert team also offers veneer treatment in Bethlehem and composite fillings in Bethlehem — all delivered with the same commitment to quality care.

And if you ever find yourself in need of urgent dental attention, our office also handles emergency dental implants and restorative procedures to get your smile back on track fast.

Why Choose Lasting Smiles Spa in Bethlehem?

As a top-rated family dentist in Bethlehem, we specialize in early orthodontic care and cosmetic dentistry with a gentle, personalized approach. We’re more than just a dental office — we’re your partner in achieving long-term oral health for every member of the family.

Whether you’re searching online for a dentist near me or need trusted care in a dental emergency, Lasting Smiles is here for you with advanced solutions and compassionate service.

Schedule Your Child’s First Orthodontic Evaluation Today

Don’t wait for dental issues to develop — proactive care makes all the difference. Book your child’s orthodontic evaluation at Lasting Smiles of Bethlehem today and give them the gift of a healthy bite, straight teeth, and a confident smile that lasts a lifetime

From orthodontic checkups to teeth whitening, veneer treatment, composite fillings, and emergency dental implant care, our Bethlehem team is here to help your family smile brighter.