At what age should children have an orthodontic checkup?
By age seven, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth has occurred for an orthodontic checkup to be productive. A dentist or orthodontist can identify current problems, anticipate future problems and reassure parents if all seems normal. Crossbites, crowding and developing injury-prone dental protrusions can be evaluated, along with finger-sucking or other oral habits that affect the teeth. By age seven, enough permanent teeth have come in and enough jaw growth.
