As a parent, you may wonder—“Does my child need braces?” The American Association of Orthodontists recommends an evaluation by age 7.

At this age, a mix of baby and adult teeth allows us to identify early issues like:

  • Crowding
  • Overbite or underbite
  • Jaw growth problems
  • Thumb sucking habits


Early intervention doesn’t always mean braces right away—it could be monitoring or simple appliances that guide proper development.

I always tell parents: the earlier we spot a problem, the easier it is to treat it. Give your child the best start with a proactive orthodontic visit.