Parents ask this all the time: “My child still has baby teeth. Do we really need to think about orthodontics yet?”
In many cases, yes. Not because your child is ready for braces, but because early orthodontic visits help us monitor jaw growth, airway health, and how the bite is developing, so we can intervene early when it truly matters.
At Stellar Orthodontics, we recommend a first orthodontic evaluation as early as age 5, before age 7, for early monitoring and airway screening for sleep disordered breathing, and then continuing periodic check-ins as your child grows.
Why an Orthodontic Visit Can Start as Early as Age 5
Orthodontics is not just about straight teeth. It is also about the foundation those teeth are growing into: the jaws, the bite, and the airway.
By age 5, we can often identify early patterns that may affect:
- Jaw growth and facial development
- How the upper and lower jaws fit together
- Spacing and eruption of adult teeth
- Breathing and sleep quality
- Habits (thumb sucking, mouth breathing, tongue posture) that influence craniofacial development
An early evaluation lets us track growth and determine whether your child is developing typically or showing signs that benefit from closer monitoring or earlier support.
A Big Focus at Stellar: Airway Screening and Sleep Disordered Breathing
One of the most important reasons to bring a child in early is to assess for sleep disordered breathing, a spectrum that can include snoring, restless sleep, and in some cases obstructive sleep apnea.
Why does an orthodontist care about breathing? Because airway, jaw growth, and oral posture are closely connected. Kids who struggle to breathe well through their nose may develop:
- Mouth breathing
- Low tongue posture
- Narrow upper jaw (high, vaulted palate)
- Crowding
- Changes in facial growth patterns over time
During an early visit, our team can screen for airway-related concerns by looking at:
- Facial and jaw development patterns
- Palate width and dental arch shape
- Tonsils and adenoids
- Tongue position and oral function
- Signs of mouth breathing or chronic congestion
If we see indicators that deserve a closer look, we may recommend collaboration with your child’s pediatrician, ENT, or other specialists. Our goal is to help connect the dots early, because sleep and breathing affect learning, behavior, mood, growth, and overall health.
Signs Your Child May Need an Early Orthodontic Check
Even if teeth look fine, these common signs can suggest your child should be evaluated sooner rather than later:
Sleep and airway-related signs
- Snoring (even light snoring)
- Restless sleep or unusual sleeping positions (head tilted back)
- Mouth breathing during the day or night
- Waking tired, daytime sleepiness, or difficulty waking up
- Frequent nighttime waking or bedwetting (in some children)
- Attention or behavior concerns alongside poor sleep
Bite and growth related signs
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing or biting
- Crossbite (top teeth biting inside the bottom teeth)
- Underbite or prominent lower jaw
- Very crowded teeth or no space for adult teeth
- Protruding front teeth (higher risk of injury)
- Jaw shifting, clicking, or asymmetry
- Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
- Speech concerns related to oral posture or tongue position
If you have noticed any of these, an early visit can be very helpful, even if treatment is not needed right away.
What Happens at a First Visit?
A child-friendly early evaluation is typically simple and comfortable. Depending on age and needs, it may include:
- A growth and bite assessment
- Photographs and or digital scans
- Low radiation imaging if appropriate
- A check of spacing, eruption timing, and jaw relationship
- Airway screening questions and observations
Most importantly, you will leave with clarity:
- Is everything on track?
- Should we monitor growth?
- Are there risk factors for crowding or bite problems?
- Are there airway-related concerns to address?
Early Monitoring vs. Early Treatment: What Is the Difference?
Many children benefit from an early orthodontic visit without needing treatment right away.
Early monitoring (common)
We track growth and jaw development periodically and step in only if necessary. This is ideal when:
- Adult teeth are still erupting
- Jaw growth is still unfolding
- The bite is developing but stable
Early intervention (when it is beneficial)
Some conditions are best treated earlier, before growth patterns become harder to change. Early treatment may help:
- Expand a narrow upper jaw
- Correct crossbites that guide jaw growth off track
- Reduce risk of severe crowding
- Improve bite relationships during growth
- Support healthier oral posture and function (in coordination with other providers when needed)
When early intervention is recommended, it is because timing can make treatment simpler, more stable, and often more effective.
The Bottom Line
Your child’s first orthodontic visit should happen before age 7, not necessarily for braces, but for guidance.
At Stellar Orthodontics, we focus on:
- Early monitoring of jaw growth and development
- Airway screening for sleep disordered breathing
- Thoughtful intervention only when it benefits your child’s long-term health and stability
If you are wondering whether it is too early, it usually is not. Early information is empowering, and sometimes it is exactly what prevents bigger issues later.
Ready for a Growth and Airway Focused Orthodontic Check?
If your child is around age 5 (or older) and you would like an orthodontic evaluation focused on growth, development, and airway screening, we would love to help.
Schedule a consultation with Stellar Orthodontics and let’s make sure your child’s smile, and their overall craniofacial development are on the healthiest path possible.