Age 7 Is the Perfect Time to Visit an Orthodontist
Children grow in a blink, and their smiles grow with them.
As part of the American Association of Orthodontists’ Smiles at 7 campaign, we are helping parents understand why age 7 is an important milestone in their child’s dental and facial development.
Why Is Age 7 Important?
By age 7, children usually have a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This gives the orthodontist an opportunity to evaluate how the teeth, bite, and jaws are developing.
At this stage, an orthodontic check-up can evaluate:
- Jaw growth and development
- The relationship between the upper and lower jaws
- The way the teeth come together
- Crowding or spacing
- Developing permanent teeth
- Crossbites and other bite concerns
These important developments may not always be noticeable to parents simply by looking at their child’s smile.
An Orthodontic Check-Up Is About More Than Straight Teeth
Orthodontics is not only about the appearance of the teeth.
An orthodontic specialist evaluates the child’s overall dental development, bite, jaw relationships, and facial growth. The purpose of the age 7 check-up is to understand how everything is progressing and identify any areas that may require attention or monitoring.
This allows parents to receive clear, professional guidance about their child’s development and the right timing for future care.
Why Visit an Orthodontic Specialist?
An orthodontist has specialist training in the development and alignment of the teeth and jaws.
During the check-up, the orthodontist can assess whether the child’s smile and bite are developing as expected. Parents can also learn what changes to watch for as their child continues to grow.
Even when everything is progressing well, the evaluation can provide reassurance and help establish the right schedule for monitoring development.
Supporting the AAO Smiles at 7 Campaign
Smiles at 7 Day is an annual awareness campaign by the American Association of Orthodontists.
Observed on July 7, the campaign encourages parents to arrange their child’s first visit with an orthodontic specialist by age 7.
The message is simple:
Age 7 is the perfect time to visit an orthodontist.
At this important stage, jaw growth, bite, and developing teeth can be evaluated to help make sure everything is progressing as it should.
Give Their Growing Smile the Right Start
They grow in a blink, and their smiles grow with them.
An orthodontic check-up at age 7 can provide valuable insight into your child’s growth and dental development.
Schedule your child’s orthodontic check-up today and make sure everything is developing as it should.
