To ensure the best overall facial and dental development, children should have an orthodontic consultation by the time they reach age 7, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. If a problem is evident at a younger age, then seek an orthodontic evaluation sooner. This evaluation typically is just for observation and we will continue to monitor progress at no charge. If a problem is evident, taking action early can spare a lot of treatment and expense in the future.

Parents should seek treatment for their children before age 7 if their child has any of the following:

Mouth breathing

Speech problems

Thumb or finger sucking habits

Teeth grinding

Jaws that shift or make sounds

Crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth

Jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face

Erupted permanent teeth that are crowded or overlap

Difficulty chewing, obvious abnormal bite development

It is a common misconception that braces are for children and teenagers, but anyone- regardless of age- can benefit from orthodontic treatment, whether it is catching developmental problems early in children or correcting a long-standing bite problem that did not get addressed in younger years.

It is never too late to achieve a beautiful smile. If you've been hiding your smile or living with a bite problem for a long time, it's time you learned how adult orthodontics can transform your smile and your life. There is no age limit to improving your smile and self-esteem. Adults of any age can enjoy the benefits of orthodontic treatment with Invisalign - a series of removable, clear plastic aligners; Damon System Braces or iBraces (lingual braces, hidden braces or invisible braces).

Maybe you didn't get braces when you needed them as a child, or maybe you did, but you stopped wearing your retainer. Orthodontics can still help you. You are never too old for a beautiful smile.