When to seek orthodontic advice for your child

• By age 7: routine screening visit (when permanent dentition begins).

• Mouth breathing, loud snoring, or suspected airway problems.

• Persistent thumb/finger sucking or tongue thrusting after age 4–5.

• Front teeth that stick out markedly or look at risk of injury.

• Upper teeth biting inside lower teeth (crossbite) or jaw shift when biting.

• Front teeth that don’t meet (open bite) or the lower teeth bite into the roof of the mouth (deep bite).

• Early loss or delayed loss of baby teeth, or large gaps where adults teeth should erupt.

• Permanent teeth coming in blocked, rotated, impacted, or erupting behind baby teeth.

• Extra teeth (visible or felt in the gum) or missing teeth.

• Noticeable facial asymmetry or one side of the jaw growing differently.

• Changes in bite or tooth position after trauma to the face or teeth.

• Difficulty chewing, speech changes, or chronic jaw pain/clicking.

• Family history of severe bite problems (Class II/III) — consider earlier monitoring.

If any of these are present, arrange an orthodontic evaluation or ask us at Northshore Dental.

Regular dental check-ups are recommended every 6–12 months will help catch issues early.