Bite shift
A child who moves the jaw sideways or forward to make the teeth fit may have a functional bite issue worth assessing.
01 · Wonder · Kamloops
Does my child need orthodontics?
Parents usually notice crowding or a tooth in the wrong place. Clinicians also look at eruption, bite relationships, jaw growth, oral habits and whether developing teeth have enough space.
The plain answer
The right answer may be treatment now, monitoring, treatment later or no treatment.
Signs worth discussing include upper or lower front teeth meeting incorrectly, a lower jaw that shifts when biting, persistent thumb or finger habits, early or late loss of baby teeth, crowded erupting teeth, excessive protrusion, teeth that do not meet, and an adult tooth that appears delayed.
Book an assessment when a concern is noticed rather than promising a child that braces or Invisalign will begin. Frame the visit as information gathering, and ask what happens if no treatment is started now.
What matters
Three things to evaluate before acting
Eruption pattern
Missing, delayed, ectopic or unusually crowded erupting teeth can require observation, imaging or coordinated dental care.
Timing
Early assessment can protect options, but early treatment should have a defined objective rather than being automatic.
01
Where this fits
Recognize signs that justify an orthodontic assessment.
The Wonder stage is about noticing, not diagnosing. Crowding, spacing, bite changes, tooth wear, difficulty cleaning, or relapse after past treatment can justify an assessment. In children, timing matters because tooth eruption and jaw growth change what can be observed and when treatment may be useful.
A checklist cannot determine severity or timing. Some early interventions address a specific developing problem and are followed by a later comprehensive phase. Other children benefit from waiting until more permanent teeth erupt.
Questions people ask
Useful answers before a consultation
Does an age-seven visit mean braces at age seven?
No. Many children are observed without treatment. The purpose is to identify whether a developing issue exists and determine the most useful timing.
Can Invisalign be used for children?
Clear aligner systems can be used for selected growing patients, but maturity, eruption, diagnosis and the ability to follow instructions matter.
Do I need a dentist referral?
A referral can be helpful, but it is not always required. Confirm the receiving office's process when booking.
References
Sources for this topic
External sources can change. Verify current regulatory, professional, manufacturer and local information at the linked publisher; these sources do not replace an individualized examination.
Presented by Blue Bird Dental, Hillside Dental and River City Dental. Last reviewed September 5, 2026. This content is educational and is not a substitute for an individualized examination, diagnosis or treatment recommendation. For pain, swelling, trauma, breathing difficulty, uncontrolled bleeding, infection or an appliance causing injury, contact a local dentist, treating provider or emergency service directly.