Four reasons why a 7-year-old may need to see an orthodontist

But is it possible your child could need braces as young as 7?

Well, probably not. But there are good reasons to take your son or daughter to see an orthodontist as early as first or second grade. That's because in most cases the oral problems that braces solve started long before the efforts to correct them got underway.

So that early visit, which is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists, can be viewed as a form of preventive maintenance. Most likely, all will be well. But if future problems are forming, the orthodontist could head them off before they get worse.

What sorts of problems? Here are a few examples.

Are the jaws growing properly?

Surprisingly, the upper jaw and the lower jaw don't grow at the same pace. The upper jaw stops growing around age 8 while the lower jaw keeps on growing like the rest of the body. But that means orthodontists can spot problems with the upper jaw earlier and recommend treatment if it's needed.

Do the teeth have the room they need to grow in?

Sometimes permanent teeth can't grow in properly, possibly because a baby tooth is in the way. Most baby teeth fall out without much coaxing, but occasionally a stubborn one must be pulled so that the permanent tooth doesn't start growing in an awkward direction and become impacted.

Removing a baby tooth that refuses to budge is often the simplest and best solution to a problem that could become much bigger.

Are there too few or too many teeth?

The orthodontist will check to see if the correct number of permanent teeth is forming. If there are too many teeth, the extras can be removed. But if a child is a tooth or two short the orthodontist will wait until all the permanent teeth are in before starting any treatment.

Does the child snore?

If your child shores, that could be a sign of sleep apnea, a condition in which a person stops breathing while asleep. Sleep apnea can cause serious health problems and children as young as 4 or 5 have been diagnosed with it.

One common and treatable type of sleep apnea is obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airways become partially or completely blocked by the tongue or fatty tissues of the throat. An orthodontist can widen the child's palate so the upper jaw expands, and that in turn expands the nasal passages. It also provides more room for the tongue so it rests on the roof of the mouth and not the bottom.

Usually, orthodontists offer complimentary exams so it really is a good idea to have your child checked out by age 7. The odds are that no treatment will be necessary. But if problems are starting to develop, early detection could make a big difference later on.

Dr. Jamie Reynolds (AskDrReynolds.com) is recognized on an annual basis as one of the top orthodontists in metro Detroit. His book, "World Class Smiles Made in Detroit," puts an emphasis on the many benefits of having a great smile. Reynolds — who is a national and international lecturer on high-tech digital orthodontics and practice management — attended the University of Michigan for both his undergrad education and dental studies, and did his orthodontic residency at the University of Detroit-Mercy.