One of the most fascinating things about children’s smiles is that they are constantly changing.
From the moment the first baby tooth appears to the arrival of the last adult teeth, the mouth is continuously developing. Teeth erupt, jaws grow, and the bite gradually takes shape.
As a parent, it can sometimes be difficult to know what’s normal, what’s worth monitoring, and when it’s time to seek professional advice.
The good news is that most concerns become much easier to understand when you know how children’s jaws and teeth naturally develop.
The Mixed Dentition Years Are Important
One of the most significant stages of dental development occurs between the ages of approximately six and twelve.
During these years, children have a mixture of baby teeth and adult teeth. Orthodontists often refer to this as the “mixed dentition” phase.
This period is important because:
- The jaws are still actively growing
- Adult teeth are continuing to erupt
- Bite problems may begin to appear
- Opportunities exist to guide growth when necessary
Because growth is still occurring, certain issues can sometimes be addressed more effectively than they can later in adolescence or adulthood.
Why Orthodontists Recommend an Assessment Around Age Seven
One of the questions I hear most often is:
“Why does my child need to see an orthodontist at seven if they still have baby teeth?”
The answer is simple.
An early orthodontic assessment is not about putting young children into braces.
In most cases, it’s simply about understanding how a child’s teeth, jaws and bite are developing.
Often, the outcome is reassuring. We monitor growth, answer questions and review the child periodically as more adult teeth emerge.
What Can an Early Assessment Identify?
Occasionally, an early assessment reveals a developing issue that may benefit from intervention while growth is still occurring.
Examples include:
- Crossbites
- Significant crowding
- Jaw growth discrepancies
- Impacted or blocked teeth
- Harmful oral habits affecting development
- Lack of space for incoming adult teeth
Identifying these concerns early may allow us to guide development in a way that can simplify future treatment.
Early Treatment Isn’t Needed for Every Child
This is an important point that many parents find reassuring.
Not every child requires early orthodontic treatment.
In fact, many children simply need regular monitoring until most of their adult teeth have erupted.
When treatment is recommended early, the goal is usually to improve the environment in which the adult teeth and jaws are developing.
This might involve creating space, correcting a bite issue, or helping guide jaw growth during an important stage of development.
What About Braces in the Teenage Years?
When people think of orthodontics, they typically think of braces during the teenage years.
This type of treatment is known as comprehensive orthodontic treatment and usually takes place once most or all adult teeth have erupted.
The goal at this stage is to:
- Align the teeth precisely
- Improve the bite
- Optimise function
- Create a healthy, long-lasting smile
For some children, early intervention can make later treatment simpler and more efficient. For others, monitoring alone is all that’s needed before comprehensive treatment begins.
Don’t Panic About Every Crooked Tooth
One of the most valuable pieces of advice I can give parents is not to panic every time a tooth erupts at an unusual angle.
Children’s smiles often go through awkward stages.
Baby teeth can appear crowded, spaced or uneven before adult teeth arrive. Likewise, newly erupted adult teeth don’t always emerge perfectly straight.
Many of these changes are simply part of normal development.
The key is knowing when a concern is part of normal growth and when it deserves closer attention.
Orthodontic Assessments for Children in Towradgi
At South Coast Orthodontics, we regularly see families from Corrimal to Towradgi and across the northern Illawarra who want reassurance that their child’s smile is developing as it should.
Sometimes an assessment confirms that everything is progressing normally. Other times, it helps identify an issue early, when growth can still be used to our advantage.
My philosophy has always been to work with a child’s natural growth whenever possible.
Sometimes that means simply monitoring and waiting. Sometimes it means taking action at exactly the right time.
Either way, the goal is the same: helping children achieve healthy, functional smiles that will serve them well for life.
