Age 7 is the Perfect Time to Check-In
Your child may still have plenty of baby teeth at age 7, but important changes are already happening beneath the surface. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around age 7. At this stage, a mix of baby and permanent teeth gives Dr. Farrow an opportunity to see how your child’s smile, bite, and jaws are developing and identify concerns that may be easier to address early. And an evaluation at age 7 does not mean your child will need braces right away. For many children, the best next step is simply monitoring their growth until the timing is right.
Why Age 7?
A Lot Is Happening Behind That Growing Smile
By age 7, most children have a combination of baby and permanent teeth. This gives Dr. Farrow a valuable look at how their permanent smile is taking shape. An early evaluation can help identify:
- Severe crowding
- Bite problems
- Impacted teeth
- Crossbites
- Finger or thumb habits
- Airway concerns
- Permanent teeth developing in unfavorable positions
Early Insight Can Make a Big Difference
When certain orthodontic concerns are identified while your child is still growing, Dr. Farrow may have more options for guiding their development. When appropriate, early treatment may help:
- Correct developing crossbites
- Address significant crowding
- Reduce the risk of impacted permanent teeth
- Create space for permanent teeth
- Reduce the likelihood of permanent tooth extractions
- Address persistent thumb or finger habits
- Reduce the risk of injury to prominent front teeth
The goal is not to start treatment early just because we can. It is to understand what is developing and step in only when there is a clear benefit.
What Happens at a 7 & Up Evaluation?
Simple, Comfortable, and Designed for Kids
By age 7, most children have a combination of baby and permanent teeth. This gives Dr. Farrow a valuable look at how their permanent smile is taking shape.
We’ll evaluate their:
- Teeth and available space
- Bite and alignment
- Jaw growth and development
- Eruption of permanent teeth
- Oral habits
- Overall orthodontic development
If everything looks great, we’ll let you know. If something needs to be watched, we can monitor it as your child grows. And if early treatment could make a meaningful difference, Dr. Farrow will explain why and walk you through your options.
The Right Care at the Right Time
Every child develops differently.
Some children benefit from early orthodontic treatment, while others are best served by waiting until more permanent teeth have erupted. Dr. Farrow’s approach is centered on choosing the right treatment at the right time for your child, not following a one-size-fits-all timeline. Starting with an evaluation around age 7 gives us the opportunity to watch their smile grow and be ready when the timing is right.
Start with a Simple Smile Check
Your child doesn’t need to have an obvious orthodontic problem to benefit from an early evaluation. Schedule a complimentary 7 & Up evaluation with Dr. Farrow and give your child’s growing smile a great start.