Seven is a pretty exciting age! Your child is growing, learning, losing baby teeth, and flashing a smile that seems to change every few months. But did you know that age 7 is also the perfect time for their first orthodontic checkup?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. And while that might sound young, there’s a great reason for it!
At Jarvis Orthodontics, we believe that giving your child a healthy, confident smile starts with knowing how their teeth and jaws are developing. And here’s something parents love to hear: Most 7-year-olds don’t need braces right away!
So why schedule a visit? Here are seven great reasons!
1. Age 7 Is the Sweet Spot for Checking Smile Development
By age 7, most children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. This gives our orthodontic team a valuable opportunity to see how their smile is coming together.
We can evaluate jaw growth, tooth alignment, and bite development to determine whether everything is on track or if there are potential concerns worth watching.
Think of it as a little sneak peek into your child’s future smile!
2. We Can Spot Small Problems Before They Become Bigger Ones
Some orthodontic concerns aren’t obvious just by looking at your child’s smile.
Crowding, crossbites, unusual eruption patterns, and jaw alignment concerns can begin developing while your child still has plenty of baby teeth.
An early evaluation allows us to identify these issues and determine whether treatment might be beneficial now or if it’s better to wait. In certain situations, addressing a problem early can help prevent more complicated issues down the road.
3. We Can Help Make Room for Those Incoming Adult Teeth
Your child’s permanent teeth need enough space to grow into their proper positions. Sometimes, a narrow upper jaw or limited space can make that challenging.
When appropriate, early orthodontic treatment may include a palatal expander to help create additional room as your child grows.
At Jarvis Orthodontics, we offer traditional expanders and, in certain cases, removable expanders depending on your child’s individual needs.
Not every child needs expansion, but when it’s recommended, it can help guide healthy development and create a better foundation for their growing smile.
4. Early Treatment May Make Future Orthodontics Simpler
Here’s something that surprises many parents: Early orthodontic treatment isn’t always about straightening teeth!
Sometimes, it’s about guiding jaw growth, correcting bite problems, or creating space while your child is still developing.
When treatment is truly needed, addressing certain concerns at a younger age may make future orthodontic care less complicated.
And if waiting is the better choice? We’ll tell you that, too!
5. No Treatment Needed? Our Complimentary Observation Program Has You Covered!
This might be our favorite reason of all!
Many children who visit Jarvis Orthodontics at age 7 don’t need orthodontic treatment yet. And that’s perfectly normal!
Instead of starting treatment before it’s necessary, we can welcome your child into our complimentary observation program.
We’ll invite them back approximately every 6–8 months for a quick checkup to monitor how their teeth and jaws are developing.
These visits help us keep an eye on their growing smile and recommend treatment only when the timing is right.
It’s a simple, proactive way to stay ahead of potential concerns without rushing into braces.
6. Every Child Gets a Plan That’s Right for THEIR Smile
No two kids are exactly alike, and neither are their smiles!
At Jarvis Orthodontics, we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. Some children may benefit from early treatment, others may need a little extra space for permanent teeth, and many simply need time to grow.
Our goal is always to provide honest, personalized recommendations based on your child’s specific needs, not to recommend treatment just because they’ve reached a certain age.
We’ll explain what we’re seeing, answer your questions, and help you feel confident about the next steps, whether that means starting treatment or simply checking in again down the road.
7. You’ll Get Peace of Mind (And That’s Pretty Priceless!)
As a parent, there are a million things to think about. Your child’s orthodontic development shouldn’t have to be a guessing game.
An early visit gives you the opportunity to ask questions, understand what’s happening with your child’s growing smile, and find out what to expect in the years ahead.
Whether your child needs early intervention or everything looks great, you’ll leave knowing you’ve taken a positive step toward their long-term smile health.
And that peace of mind? We think it’s worth smiling about!
Big Smiles Start with Small Steps!
At Jarvis Orthodontics, we love helping kids grow into healthy, confident smiles. But we also believe that the right treatment at the right time is always better than rushing into treatment that isn’t needed.
If your child is approaching age 7 (or is already a little older and hasn’t had an orthodontic evaluation), we’d love to meet them!
With convenient locations in Eagle, Meridian and Parkcenter getting started is easy.
Schedule your child’s complimentary orthodontic consultation today!
Call: (208) 383-0100
Text: (208) 383-0100
Visit: www.jarvisortho.com
Because age 7 isn’t necessarily the time for braces. It’s the perfect time for a plan!