One of the most common questions parents ask during an orthodontic consultation is, “Is this normal for their age?”
It’s a great question because children’s mouths are constantly changing. Baby teeth fall out, permanent teeth erupt, jaws grow, and bites continue developing throughout childhood and the teenage years. What may be completely normal at one age can become a concern a few years later.
At Tebo Orthodontics, we’ve found that orthodontic concerns tend to follow predictable patterns as children grow. While every child develops at their own pace, there are certain bite problems we commonly see during each stage of development.
Ages 7–9: Watching Growth and Development
Around age 7, many children have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. That’s one reason the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic evaluation at about this age.
Parents often expect this visit to be about braces, but that’s usually not the case.
More often, we’re evaluating how the jaws are growing, whether the permanent teeth have enough room to erupt properly, and whether there are any developing bite problems that could benefit from early treatment.
Some of the most common concerns we see between ages 7 and 9 include:
- Crossbites
- Early crowding
- Permanent teeth erupting behind baby teeth (“shark teeth”)
- Jaw growth concerns
- Bite problems that may benefit from early intervention
Many children don’t need treatment at this stage. Instead, we simply monitor their growth and determine the ideal time to begin orthodontic care if it’s needed.
Ages 10–12: Permanent Teeth Begin Taking Their Place
This is often when parents begin noticing significant changes.
As more permanent teeth erupt, crowding becomes much easier to recognize. Teeth that looked perfectly straight a few years earlier may suddenly appear crooked simply because larger permanent teeth are competing for limited space.
During this stage, we commonly evaluate:
- Crowding
- Spacing between teeth
- Overbites, underbites, and crossbites
- Teeth that haven’t erupted as expected
- Jaw development
One thing we’ve learned over the years is that this age often answers many of the questions we couldn’t fully answer at age 7. As additional permanent teeth come in, it becomes much easier to determine whether orthodontic treatment is needed and, if so, what approach will provide the best long-term result.
Teen Years: Fine-Tuning the Bite
By the teenage years, most permanent teeth have erupted, making this the stage when comprehensive orthodontic treatment often begins.
While straight teeth are certainly important, one of our primary goals is creating a healthy bite. Teeth that fit together properly are generally easier to clean, function more efficiently, and may help reduce uneven wear over time.
Common orthodontic concerns we treat during the teenage years include:
- Crowded teeth
- Bite alignment issues
- Rotated teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Overbites
- Underbites
- Crossbites
- Open bites
Every treatment plan is unique because every smile develops differently. Two teenagers may have similar-looking teeth but require completely different treatment based on how their bite functions and how their jaws fit together.
Adults: Teeth Continue to Move
One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that orthodontics is only for children.
In reality, adults make up a growing number of orthodontic patients.
Many adults visit us because they’ve noticed their teeth shifting over time. Crowding of the lower front teeth is one of the most common concerns we see. Others want to correct bite problems, close spaces that have developed, or improve a smile they’ve never been completely happy with.
Unlike children, adults have finished growing, so treatment focuses on moving the teeth rather than guiding jaw development. Fortunately, today’s orthodontic treatment options are more comfortable, convenient, and discreet than ever before.
Every Child Develops at Their Own Pace
One thing we’ve learned after treating thousands of patients is that age alone doesn’t determine when orthodontic treatment should begin.
We’ve evaluated 8-year-olds who benefited from early treatment because of significant bite concerns, and we’ve also seen children the same age whose smiles simply needed more time to develop naturally.
The same is true for teenagers and adults. Every patient brings a unique combination of growth, bite function, dental development, and treatment goals.
That’s why we never recommend treatment based solely on age. We recommend it based on what will produce the healthiest, most stable long-term outcome.
What We Look for During Every Orthodontic Evaluation
During every orthodontic evaluation, we’re looking at much more than crooked teeth.
We evaluate:
- How the upper and lower jaws fit together
- Whether permanent teeth have enough room to erupt
- How the bite functions
- Overall facial and jaw growth
- How your child’s smile is developing over time
Growth patterns also play an important role because timing can make orthodontic treatment more effective and, in some cases, less complex.
Sometimes an evaluation leads to starting treatment right away. Other times, it simply means monitoring growth until the timing is right. Both recommendations are based on what’s best for the patient—not on starting braces as early as possible.
Schedule an Orthodontic Evaluation
If you’re wondering whether your child’s bite is developing normally—or you’ve noticed changes in your own smile—the team at Tebo Orthodontics is here to help.
We’ll perform a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation, answer your questions, and explain what we’re seeing in a way that’s easy to understand.
Whether treatment is recommended now or later, you’ll leave with a clear understanding of your options and a personalized plan designed for long-term success. Contact Tebo Orthodontics today to schedule your consultation.
