Childhood is an exciting time of rapid physical growth, which means gentle interventions can have a big impact on kids’ tooth and bite alignment. Think of it like a long train ride: A tiny direction change early on means the train can end up hundreds of miles from an original destination. Small treatment now, big difference later.

Children develop orthodontic problems from genetics, injuries, or habits like thumbsucking or pacifier use. Seeing a child early means we can guide your child’s jaw and teeth development from the beginning.

During early treatment, we check for healthy paths and sufficient space for permanent teeth to come in. We also look at how your child’s jaw is developing to make sure they have an aligned and healthy bite.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children see an orthodontist around age 7. Dr. Robertson and Dr. Torres gather valuable information from examining your child’s mouth when they have both baby and permanent teeth. If they see an existing or developing problem, they’ll advise you on suitable solutions and a timeline for treatment.

You don’t have to wait until your child turns 7. If something in your child’s mouth doesn’t seem right to you, don’t hesitate to bring them in for a visit. Good oral health and an aligned bite affect so many aspects of your child’s life, so you have every reason to have Dr. Robertson or Dr. Torres check your child’s mouth early.

You are often the first person to notice something that isn’t right. A handful of signs indicate your child should visit us soon:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth—The timeline for losing teeth varies, but an adverse variation can affect the permanent teeth.
• Difficulty chewing or biting—Teething comes with discomfort, but eating and chewing shouldn’t.
• Mouth breathing—Mouth breathing can create orthodontic problems.
• Jaw shifting or clicking—This indicates a poorly aligned bite, which can cause pain and more dental problems.
• Cheek biting—Does your child constantly bite their cheeks? A crossbite or other condition might be preventing normal chewing.
• Facial imbalance—The appearance of the face, chin, and lips is affected by the jaw and teeth. 

If your child has any of these symptoms, Dr. Robertson and Dr. Torres will guide you on the next best steps. Together with you, we’ll make sure your child is headed to successful oral health.

You don’t have to wait until your child turns 7. If something in your child’s mouth doesn’t seem right to you, don’t hesitate to bring them in for a visit. Good oral health and an aligned bite affect so many aspects of your child’s life, so you have every reason to have Dr. Robertson or Dr. Torres check your child’s mouth early.