Child smiling at orthodontist
AAO Recommended Age: 7

Future-Proof Your Child's Smile

Prevention is Better Than Correction.
Catching growth issues early can prevent the need for jaw surgery or tooth extractions later. It starts with a simple, free "Look-See."

What To Watch For

If you see these signs, book a scan immediately.

Thumb Sucking

If continued past age 5, this can warp the roof of the mouth and push front teeth forward ("Buck Teeth").

Crossbite

When the upper jaw is too narrow, fitting inside the lower jaw. This requires expansion to fix properly.

Early/Late Loss

Losing baby teeth too early (or too late) can cause spacing issues where permanent teeth get stuck (impacted).

Mouth Breathing

Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose can alter facial growth and cause a long, narrow face shape.

Protrusion

Top teeth that stick out far are at high risk of trauma (breaking) if the child falls or plays sports.

Speech Issues

Difficulty pronouncing S or T sounds, or a lisp, can sometimes be caused by tongue thrusting or bite issues.

Why Age Seven?

It seems young, but it's the "Golden Window" for orthodontics.

By age 7, enough permanent teeth have arrived for Dr. Thomas to spot potential issues with jaw growth and eruption. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends every child get checked at this age.

The Good News:
Most kids don't need braces yet! If everything looks good, we simply place them in our free Growth Guidance Program.

The Age 7 Rule

  • First Molars Established
  • Incisors Erupting
  • Crossbites Visible
  • Crowding Predictable

Does My Child Need Braces Twice?

Phase 1: The Foundation

Ages 7-10 | Duration: 9-12 Months

Think of this as leveling the construction site before building the house. We use expanders or partial braces to make room for permanent teeth and correct jaw alignment while the bone is soft and growing.

Goal: Prevent surgery & extractions.

Phase 2: The Finish

Ages 11-14 | Duration: 12-18 Months

This is the "classic braces" phase. Once all permanent teeth have erupted, we use braces or Invisalign to straighten each tooth perfectly for a beautiful aesthetic result.

Goal: Perfect alignment & aesthetics.

Our Free "Growth Guidance" Program

Peace of mind costs nothing at Thomas Orthodontics.

Thomas Growth Club

$0.00

100% Complimentary

Most 7-year-olds are not ready for braces yet. We place them in our Growth Club. We see them every 6-12 months for a quick scan to ensure teeth are coming in straight.

  • Free X-Rays & Exams
  • Monitor Jaw Growth
  • Catch Issues Early

Early Treatment FAQs

Why age 7?
By age 7, the first permanent molars have erupted, establishing the back bite. This allows Dr. Thomas to evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. Early screening allows us to monitor growth and intervene only if necessary.
Does Phase 1 hurt?
Generally, no. Appliances used in Phase 1 (like expanders) work slowly with the child's natural growth. There may be mild pressure for a day or two after adjustments, but children are very resilient and adapt quickly.
Will they still need braces later?
Most likely, yes. Phase 1 fixes the "foundation" (jaw size and bite), while Phase 2 aligns the permanent teeth. However, Phase 1 makes the second phase much easier, shorter, and often prevents the need for extractions.
How much does Phase 1 cost?
Cost varies by the specific problem we are fixing. However, correcting a structural issue now is often significantly cheaper (and less traumatic) than trying to fix it with surgery or complex orthodontics when they are an adult.
What if we wait?
For some kids, waiting is fine! But for structural issues like crossbites or underbites, waiting until all permanent teeth are in (age 12-13) means the jaw bones have hardened. Fixing it then might require jaw surgery or pulling permanent teeth.
What is a palate expander?
An expander is a common Phase 1 appliance. It gently widens the upper jaw to fix crossbites and create room for crowded teeth. It takes advantage of the fact that a 7-year-old's upper jaw hasn't fused together yet.
Does thumb sucking matter?
Yes. Vigorous thumb sucking after age 5 can permanently warp the roof of the mouth and push teeth forward. We can provide gentle "habit appliances" that help children stop sucking their thumb comfortably.
Is the consultation really free?
100% Yes. We believe every child deserves a healthy start. The exam, the X-rays, and the growth monitoring appointments are complimentary. You only pay if/when actual treatment begins.
Start Their Journey Right

Don't Guess. Get Checked.

Give your child the advantage of a healthy smile. Schedule their free growth check today.