If you’re like most parents, you’ve probably wondered at some point:
“How do I know if my child needs braces?”

Some signs are obvious… and others are surprisingly easy to miss—especially when kids still have baby teeth. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child get their first orthodontic checkup around age 7.

At West Family Orthodontics, we make these early visits super simple and pressure-free. Here are the most common signs we see that tell us a child might benefit from braces now or in the future.

1. Crowded or Overlapping Teeth
This is the sign parents usually notice first. Crowding happens when the jaw doesn’t have quite enough space for all the teeth to fit in properly.

What it might look like:

• Teeth overlapping
• Teeth twisting or turning sideways
• Teeth erupting in front of or behind other teeth

 
Especially if baby teeth look crowded, it’s helpful for us to evaluate early—crowding tends to get worse as adult teeth come in.

2. Bite Issues (Overbite, Underbite, Crossbite, Open Bite)

Bite issues can affect chewing, speech, jaw growth, and even confidence.
You may notice:

• Overbite: Top teeth stick out noticeably over the bottom.
• Underbite: Lower jaw/teeth sit too far forward or in front of upper teeth.
• Crossbite: Upper and lower teeth don’t line up properly side-to-side.
• Open bite: Upper and lower front teeth don’t touch when biting down.

 
These often start small but can become more noticeable as your child grows.

3. Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth

The timing of baby teeth shedding can impact how adult teeth come in. If your child loses baby teeth very early or much later than expected, it can create spacing, bite, and alignment issues.

You don’t need to track this perfectly—that’s our job! But if something feels off, it’s a great time for a quick evaluation.

4. Difficulty Chewing or Biting

If your child avoids certain foods, chews on one side, or seems uncomfortable while biting, they may have underlying alignment or bite issues. Kids don’t always explain what feels “off,” so behavior changes can be a big clue.

Common signs parents notice:

• Frequent biting of cheeks or lips
• Avoiding chewy or crunchy foods
• Trouble biting into sandwiches or apples

 
5. Mouth Breathing or Snoring

This one surprises a lot of parents!
Mouth breathing—especially at night—can indicate narrow jaws, airway issues, or habits that affect how teeth and jaws develop.

You might notice:

• Snoring
• Restless sleep
• Chronic chapped lips from open-mouth breathing

 
Addressing these early can help improve both smile development and sleep quality.

Bonus Sign: Your Parent Gut Says Something Looks “Off”

We hear this all the time from moms and dads:
“Something just didn’t look right, but I wasn’t sure.”

Trust that instinct! Early evaluations are incredibly helpful in planning ahead.

When Should I Schedule a Visit?

If you’ve noticed any of these signs (even small ones!), it’s a great idea to schedule a consultation. You don’t have to wait until all adult teeth come in.

At West Family Orthodontics, we’ll:

• Check growth and development
• Look for early signs of spacing or bite issues
• Let you know if treatment is needed now or later
• Keep things fun and easy for kids

 
Most kids just need monitoring—but catching issues early can prevent bigger problems down the road.