What to Expect During Your Child's First Orthodontic Visit

The smile your child develops now will influence their confidence for decades to come. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should have their first visit to an orthodontist by age seven, as this is when many orthodontic problems can be addressed with simple, early treatments. 

These early orthodontic evaluations allow orthodontists to spot developing issues with jaw growth and emerging teeth while your child's bone structure remains malleable and responsive to intervention. While this early visit doesn't typically mean immediate treatment, it does give parents valuable insight into what lies ahead, potentially reducing both treatment time and costs when compared to waiting until problems fully develop. 

Read on to explore what parents should know about this important first appointment and where to find the best orthodontist in Sheboygan and Manitowoc. 

Why Early Orthodontic Visits Are Important

The earlier an orthodontist can diagnose misalignments and bite problems, the better. An early diagnosis enables them to guide development using growth modification techniques. Ultimately, this proactive approach helps your child avoid more extensive, invasive, and complex orthodontic interventions in the future. 

Even if your child doesn’t need any treatment yet, a wait-and-see approach is still important because it gives your child’s orthodontist the ability to monitor growth spurts and identify developmental windows when teeth and jaws respond most effectively to treatment. 

Beyond these clinical benefits, early visits help children build a comfortable relationship with their orthodontist in a low-pressure environment. This gradual introduction to orthodontic care helps reduce dental anxiety, establishes trust, and creates a foundation for positive dental experiences throughout their life.

How Early Orthodontics Shapes Your Child's Breathing and Airway

When the upper or lower jaw develops too narrow, too small, or improperly aligned, it can restrict the size of your child’s airway. This may lead to mouth breathing, snoring, or even disordered sleep conditions like childhood obstructive sleep apnea. When a child isn’t breathing properly at night, their brain and body don’t get the full rest they need, often resulting in daytime symptoms such as poor focus, irritability, and hyperactivity. All of which are symptoms that can closely mimic attention deficit disorders. 

Early orthodontic evaluations give orthodontists a chance to assess jaw growth, identify airway limitations, and intervene with treatment options like palatal expanders or functional appliances that help create more space for proper nasal breathing. 

What Will Happen at My Child’s First Orthodontic Appointment?

At your child's first orthodontic appointment, you can expect your child’s orthodontist to conduct a thorough clinical examination of their teeth, jaw structure, and bite relationship. They’ll pay close attention to how upper and lower teeth fit together when your child bites and get a complete picture of what's happening beneath the surface with digital dental X-rays or advanced 3D scans. This imaging allows orthodontists to see below the gum line and assess how the jawbones are growing in relation to each other. Often, this can predict how your child’s permanent teeth will emerge and if orthodontic interventions are needed. 

After a comprehensive evaluation, your child’s orthodontist will discuss their findings with both you and your child, explaining any potential concerns. You’ll leave the appointment with a clear roadmap for your child's orthodontic future.

Will My Child Need Braces Right Away?

Most children don't leave their first orthodontic appointment with braces. Instead, orthodontists recommend either a growth observation plan, where the orthodontist monitors their dental development through periodic check-ups every six to 12 months, or another appointment for phase I orthodontics.

In the first option, a watchful waiting approach allows the orthodontist to track jaw growth patterns and tooth eruption without rushing into treatment. Conversely, if early orthodontics is recommended, it typically involves orthodontic appliances, like palatal expanders, space maintainers, or partial braces, that guide jaw growth and tooth positioning, rather than the full set of braces most people envision. 

During your consultation, the orthodontist will clearly outline the recommended treatment timeline, explaining specific goals such as creating space for crowded teeth, correcting bite issues, or guiding jaw development. 

How Should My Child and I Prepare for the Appointment?

Preparing your child for their first orthodontic visit sets the stage for a positive experience: 

• Talk with your child before the appointment using encouraging and age-appropriate language. 
• Explain that the orthodontist is a dentist who helps guide teeth into their proper positions, and reassure them that this visit is primarily about examination and taking pictures, not treatment. 
• If your child has dental records or recent dental X-rays from your regular dentist, bring these along as they provide valuable background information that might prevent duplicate imaging. 
• Before the appointment, jot down specific questions you have about potential costs, insurance coverage, treatment options, or what signs of orthodontic problems you should watch for at home. 

Additionally, if your child already has a good patient-doctor relationship with a regular dentist, they’ll feel more comfortable visiting the orthodontist. 

Where to Find the Best Orthodontist in Sheboygan and Manitowoc for Your Child’s First Orthodontic Visit

A confident smile starts with care that’s both expert and personalized. That’s exactly what we deliver at Just Orthodontics. With over a century of experience passed down through four generations, our team combines time-tested knowledge with today’s most advanced technology to create treatment plans tailored to your child’s unique needs. 

Whether we’re evaluating early jaw development or customizing teen braces with Empower® or Invisalign, we take pride in providing care that’s thoughtful, efficient, and backed by evidence-based practices. We offer before- and after-school appointments at both our clinic locations, in Sheboygan and Manitowoc, to make orthodontic care more convenient for your family’s schedule.