Starting orthodontic care early can make a big difference in how your child’s smile develops. At Orthodontic Alliances, we pay close attention to how your child’s jaws are growing.

By catching small issues early, we can take steps to guide growth in a healthy direction before bigger problems show up. This helps your child chew more easily, speak more clearly, and feel more confident every day.

When jaw growth is uneven, it can lead to a variety of challenges. One side of the jaw might grow faster than the other, or the top and bottom jaws may not match up well. This can cause teeth to crowd or shift out of place, leading to problems like underbites, overbites, or crossbites.

These issues can make it harder for your child to eat, talk, or even sleep well. In some cases, kids may experience breathing trouble because their jaws are too narrow or don’t leave enough room for their airway.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic visit by age 7. This is an ideal time because baby teeth and adult teeth are both present, and the jaw bones are still soft and easy to guide.

At this stage, our team can check how everything is developing and suggest gentle ways to help the jaws grow properly.

Our dentofacial orthopedics use safe and proven tools that support healthy development:

• Jaw Growth Tools – Help both sides of the jaw grow evenly for a balanced bite
• Upper Jaw Expanders – Widen the upper jaw to improve spacing and airflow
• Lower Jaw Devices – Guide the lower jaw to grow forward in line with the top jaw

By starting care early, your child may avoid more serious treatment later — like braces, surgery, or speech therapy. Early support through Hebron dentofacial orthopedics also helps improve sleep and boosts everyday comfort.

To get started, call 219-440-6512 or contact us online to schedule a visit with Orthodontic Alliances today.