When to See an Orthodontist for Your Child
If you’ve been wondering when to see an orthodontist for your child, you’re not alone. Many parents assume orthodontic treatment begins in the teenage years—but in fact, the ideal time for a first orthodontic check-up is around age 7, even if your child still has baby teeth. This might sound early, but there are good reasons for acting sooner rather than later.
At Liverpool Orthodontics, we believe early assessment leads to better outcomes. Identifying issues before they develop fully often means simpler, shorter, and less invasive treatment in the future. That’s why we offer a completely free consultation and ongoing monitoring programme for all young patients.
Why Age 7 Is the Ideal Time
By the time a child is 7, they typically have a mix of baby and adult teeth, and their jaws are still developing. This gives us a valuable opportunity to examine how the teeth and bite are coming together and to identify any early warning signs.
Understanding when to see an orthodontist can help parents:
- Monitor growth and jaw development
- Detect problems such as crowding, crossbites, underbites or open bites
- Choose the right time to begin treatment (if necessary)
This initial visit is less about starting treatment and more about keeping an eye on your child’s oral development—just like taking them to the GP or paediatrician for regular check-ups.
What Happens at the First Appointment?
The first orthodontic consultation is relaxed, informative, and completely pressure-free. Here’s what you can expect:
- A gentle check of your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw alignment
- Early detection of any potential orthodontic concerns
- Personalised advice about whether treatment is needed now—or later
- A tailored plan to monitor changes over time
Many children won’t need braces or appliances straight away. For these cases, we offer our complimentary monitoring programme, which includes regular check-ins every 6 to 12 months. This ensures we can track changes as your child grows and act at the optimal time—if treatment ever becomes necessary.
When to See an Orthodontist: It’s About More Than Braces
Knowing when to see an orthodontist isn’t just about straightening teeth. Early assessments can help prevent long-term problems with chewing, speaking, breathing, and self-confidence. Correcting a developing issue early may reduce the need for complex treatment later on, or even eliminate it altogether.
It’s also important to remember that some orthodontic problems are linked to jaw growth—which can only be guided during childhood. Once the jaw stops growing, the options become more limited. That’s why timing is everything, and why understanding when to see an orthodontist is so valuable for your child’s long-term wellbeing.
Why Choose Liverpool Orthodontics?
At Liverpool Orthodontics, we specialise in helping families make the right choices for their child’s smile. Led by Dr Eva Low, our practice focuses on early assessment, gentle care, and customised treatment plans that evolve as your child grows.
Our free consultation and no-cost monitoring programme make it easy to take the first step—without committing to any treatment or spending a cent. We’re here to support your child’s development, whether they need treatment now, later, or not at all.
If you’re still unsure when to see an orthodontist, we’re here to help. Book your free consultation with Liverpool Orthodontics today, and give your child the best start towards a confident, healthy smile.