"At what age should I take my child to the orthodontist?" is one of the questions parents ask us most. The answer from the literature — and from our daily experience — is around age 6, when the first permanent molars and incisors erupt.
Why so early?
At 6, jaw growth is in full development. Some problems — crossbite, underbite (Class III), habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing — are intercepted far better now than at 12, when growth is almost complete.
The goal is not to fit braces right away: most first visits end with simple periodic monitoring. But when action is needed, acting early makes an enormous difference.
What happens during the first visit
- Getting acquainted: the child explores the room and gets comfortable.
- Full clinical examination of teeth, bite and skeletal growth.
- Habit analysis: sucking, prolonged dummy use, breathing, swallowing.
- Dialogue with parents: we answer every question and share advice.
Three possible outcomes: an interceptive orthodontics programme when intervention is needed, six-monthly monitoring to follow growth, or simple preventive strategies.
A real case from our practice
A 7-year-old girl arrived with a Class III malocclusion (underbite). With an 18-month interceptive programme we guided her growth and prevented alignment problems that, as an adult, could have required far more demanding treatment.
Our child-sized approach
Colourful spaces, playful language and, for anxious children, conscious sedation: every visit should be a positive experience, because the oral-health habits built today last a lifetime.
Has your child turned 6 without an orthodontic visit? Now is the right time: call us.
Sources
- Italian Ministry of Health, National guidelines for the promotion of oral health and prevention of oral disease in childhood — prevention, fluoride prophylaxis and early check-ups for children.
- WHO, Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health 2023–2030 — oral health as part of general health.