When it comes to your child’s health, timing is everything. That’s especially true when we talk about orthodontic care. At Simple Orthodontics in Larkspur, Dr. Sean Carlson believes early evaluations aren’t just about straightening teeth—they’re about setting kids up for a lifetime of better breathing, sleeping, and growing.
So, when should your child have their first orthodontic visit? According to the American Association of Orthodontists and the growing body of research on airway health and jaw development, the answer is clear: by age 7. But if you’re in Marin County, this visit could mean more than just peace of mind—it could be life-changing.
Why Age 7 Is a Critical Milestone
By age 7, your child’s first adult molars have typically come in, which allows orthodontists like Dr. Carlson to evaluate back-to-front tooth and jaw relationships. At this stage, potential problems are often hiding just below the surface—things like:
-
Narrow upper jaws
-
Crossbites that may not be visible without imaging
-
Impacted or misaligned adult teeth
-
Mouth breathing or snoring
-
Facial asymmetry or jaw misalignment
Early screenings allow us to intervene before these issues become more complex or permanent. “Our goal isn’t to slap on braces at age 7,” Dr. Carlson explains. “It’s to guide natural growth and prevent the ‘car crash’ of facial development from happening in the first place.”
A Personal Mission Rooted in Airway Health
Dr. Carlson’s commitment to early care isn’t just clinical—it’s personal. In his lecture at the OrthoPreneurs Summit, he shared the story of his goddaughter, Maddie. At age 4, Maddie was snoring at night and struggling to breathe through her nose. A simple video taken while she slept revealed airway issues that many pediatricians and ENT specialists might have missed.
Further evaluation with 3D cone-beam imaging—a tool Dr. Carlson uses with every young patient—showed that Maddie’s airway was the size of a cocktail straw. Thanks to a collaborative approach involving ENT intervention and orthodontic insights, Maddie underwent a tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. The result? She slept better, stopped wetting the bed, and began to thrive—all before ever needing braces.
This case highlights something many parents aren’t told: snoring in kids is not normal, and orthodontists trained in airway awareness may be the first to recognize the signs of deeper issues.
What Happens During an Early Orthodontic Visit?
At Simple Orthodontics, early evaluations are designed to be easy and educational. There’s no pressure to start treatment immediately. Instead, the team gathers valuable data using:
-
3D digital scans for a full picture of the airway, teeth, and jaw growth
-
Photographs and growth charts to assess facial development
-
Sleep and breathing questionnaires for parents
This comprehensive, tech-forward approach—paired with a compassionate team—helps uncover root issues before they turn into larger problems.
“If everything looks great, that’s fantastic,” says Dr. Carlson. “But if we see signs of concern, we can create a proactive plan that supports natural development with as little intervention as possible.”
The Marin County Advantage: Personalized, High-Tech Orthodontics
Located in the heart of downtown Larkspur, Simple Orthodontics is a hub for modern care in Marin County. Dr. Carlson, a longtime local resident and globally recognized educator, has redesigned orthodontic care around efficiency, convenience, and customization.
With cutting-edge tools like custom-designed braces and advanced airway imaging, treatment can often be completed in under a year—with as few as five visits.
“We want families to feel supported and not overwhelmed,” Dr. Carlson says. “Our process is built to fit into real life—soccer games, school pickups, work schedules, and everything in between.”
Benefits of Early Orthodontic Evaluation:
-
✅ Avoid more invasive treatments later in life
-
✅ Guide jaw development naturally, reducing need for surgery or tooth extractions
-
✅ Identify and resolve breathing or sleep issues
-
✅ Improve facial symmetry and oral function
-
✅ Create space for adult teeth to erupt properly
And perhaps most importantly, early evaluations offer peace of mind for parents.
Ready for Your Child’s Orthodontic Screening?
If your child is in 2nd or 3rd grade, now is the perfect time to schedule a visit with Simple Orthodontics. Whether it’s your first orthodontic consultation or you’re seeking a second opinion, Dr. Carlson and his team will welcome you with cutting-edge expertise and a warm, family-first attitude.
Simple Orthodontics | Larkspur, CA
Early care isn’t about rushing into braces. It’s about creating a healthy foundation—for breathing, sleeping, growing, and smiling confidently for life.
