While there is no exact age for children to begin orthodontic treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends visiting the orthodontist around age seven. At this age, Dr. Saito and Dr. Brown will be able to determine whether orthodontic treatment is needed and when it should begin. By age seven most children have a mix of baby teeth and adult teeth, making it easier for our orthodontists to diagnose and correct tooth and jaw problems sooner and without surgery. Beginning treatment at the right time ensures the greatest results and the least amount of time and expense.At Brown-Saito Orthodontics, our board-certified orthodontists provide child orthodontics in Vancouver, Washington, East Vancouver, West Vancouver, Ridgefield and surrounding Clark County communities. Our goal is to help parents understand their child’s growth, bite development and treatment options so they can make confident decisions about their child’s smile.
Ready to schedule your child’s orthodontic evaluation? Call Brown-Saito Orthodontics today at
360-256-7220 to make an appointment with Dr. Saito or Dr. Brown.
Early treatment allows our orthodontists to:
- Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower arches
- Create more space for crowded teeth
- Avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life
- Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems
What Parents Should Look For
For parents, it’s not always easy to know if your child may need orthodontic treatment. No referral is necessary to have your child checked. Here are a few things to look for that may mean your child needs to see Dr. Saito or Dr. Brown:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- A hard time chewing or biting food
- Mouth breathing
- Finger or thumb sucking
- Crowded, misplaced or blocked teeth
- Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
- Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
- Jaw and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
Growth and Guidance Program
If no orthodontic treatment is indicated yet, our orthodontists will continue to monitor your child’s skeletal development and dental eruption through periodic reexaminations with our complimentary Growth and Guidance Program. Dr. Saito and Dr. Brown will also help you know when it is the right time to start planning for orthodontic treatment.Please call or visit Brown-Saito Orthodontics today at
360-256-7220 to learn more about early orthodontics in Vancouver, Washington, and make your child’s appointment with our caring orthodontists.
Child Orthodontics From Board-Certified Orthodontists
Early orthodontic care is about more than straight teeth. It helps our orthodontists evaluate how your child’s teeth, jaws and bite are developing so problems can be identified at the right time. Some children need early treatment, while others simply need monitoring until they are ready for braces or another orthodontic option.Dr. Saito has experience with early interceptive treatment, growth modification, comprehensive orthodontics, impacted teeth, missing teeth, 3D imaging and advanced orthodontic techniques. Dr. Brown has been creating beautiful smiles in Vancouver for more than 20 years and enjoys helping families understand each step of orthodontic care.At Brown-Saito Orthodontics, we will never recommend treatment your child does not need. We take time to explain what we see, answer your questions and help you understand whether your child should begin treatment now or continue with growth and guidance observation.
When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around age seven. This does not mean every child needs braces at age seven. It simply gives our orthodontists the opportunity to evaluate your child’s bite, jaw growth and tooth eruption while there is still time to guide development if needed.An early visit can help identify concerns such as crowding, crossbite, open bite, underbite, overbite, narrow arches, mouth breathing, thumb sucking habits and teeth that are blocked from coming in properly.
Does My Child Need Braces?
Some children need early orthodontic treatment, while others are better served by waiting until more permanent teeth have erupted. During your child’s evaluation, Dr. Saito or Dr. Brown will look at how the teeth fit together, how the jaws are growing and whether there is enough space for adult teeth to come in correctly.If treatment is recommended, we will explain why it is needed, what options are available and what you can expect. If treatment is not needed yet, your child may be placed in our complimentary Growth and Guidance Program so we can continue monitoring development over time.
Early Orthodontic Treatment Options
When early treatment is needed, it may help guide jaw growth, create space for crowded teeth, improve bite alignment or reduce the risk of more complex treatment later. Treatment depends on your child’s individual needs and may involve appliances, braces, space management or other orthodontic care.As your child grows, our team may also discuss future treatment options such as
traditional metal braces,
clear ceramic braces,
teen orthodontics or
Invisalign Teen if appropriate.
Child Orthodontics in Vancouver, Washington, and Ridgefield
Brown-Saito Orthodontics provides child orthodontics and early orthodontic evaluations for families in Vancouver, East Vancouver, West Vancouver, Ridgefield and surrounding Clark County communities. With multiple convenient locations, parents can choose the office that works best for their schedule.Our East Vancouver office is located at 300 SE 120th Ave., Ste. 900, Vancouver, WA 98683. Our West Vancouver office is located at 3600 Main Street, Vancouver, WA 98663. We also see patients in Ridgefield at 2 South 56th Pl., Suite 202, Ridgefield, WA 98642.If you are searching for a kids orthodontist in Vancouver, child orthodontics in Ridgefield, braces for kids near me or an orthodontist for children in Clark County, our team is here to help. Visit our
office locations page to find the location nearest you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Child Orthodontics
What age should my child first see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children visit an orthodontist around age seven. This allows our orthodontists to evaluate jaw growth, bite development and how the permanent teeth are coming in.
Does every child need braces at age seven?
No. Many children do not need treatment right away. An early evaluation helps Dr. Saito or Dr. Brown determine whether treatment is needed now, later or not at all.
What are signs my child may need orthodontic treatment?
Signs can include early or late loss of baby teeth, difficulty chewing, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, crowded teeth, blocked teeth, jaw popping, teeth that do not come together properly or crowded front teeth around age seven or eight.
What is early orthodontic treatment?
Early orthodontic treatment is care provided while a child still has a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. It may help guide jaw growth, create space for adult teeth, improve bite alignment or address habits that affect dental development.
What is the Growth and Guidance Program?
If your child does not need orthodontic treatment yet, our orthodontists can continue to monitor their skeletal development and dental eruption through periodic reexaminations with our complimentary Growth and Guidance Program.
Can early orthodontics prevent extractions later?
In some cases, early treatment can create more space for crowded teeth and may help avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions later in life. Dr. Saito or Dr. Brown can explain what is possible based on your child’s development.
Can orthodontics help with thumb sucking?
Yes. Early orthodontic care may help correct thumb sucking habits and guide development if the habit has affected the teeth, bite or jaw growth.
Do you offer child orthodontics in Ridgefield?
Yes. Brown-Saito Orthodontics provides child orthodontics for families in Ridgefield, Vancouver, East Vancouver, West Vancouver and nearby Clark County communities.
Where can I find a kids orthodontist near me?
Brown-Saito Orthodontics offers child orthodontics and early orthodontic evaluations in Vancouver, Washington, with convenient locations in East Vancouver, West Vancouver and Ridgefield. Call
360-256-7220 to schedule your child’s consultation.
Schedule Your Child’s Orthodontic Evaluation
If your child is around age seven or you have noticed signs that may indicate an orthodontic concern, our team would love to help. With board-certified orthodontists, a complimentary Growth and Guidance Program and convenient locations in Vancouver and Ridgefield, Brown-Saito Orthodontics can help you understand your child’s smile development with confidence.Call Brown-Saito Orthodontics today at
360-256-7220 or
contact our office to schedule your child’s appointment with Dr. Saito or Dr. Brown.
