Your child’s first orthodontic visit does not have to feel like a mystery. Most parents picture a long, clinical appointment full of unfamiliar terms and complicated next steps, but a first evaluation is really just a conversation about your child’s growing smile. Knowing what actually happens during that visit can turn a source of nerves into something you and your child can look forward to together.
At Simon Says Smile Orthodontics, we have built our Chamblee practice around exactly this kind of clarity. Dr. Hazie Simon believes every family should walk into a first visit feeling informed rather than uncertain, and our team structures each evaluation to be thorough, unhurried, and easy to understand from start to finish.
Why the First Visit Happens Around Age 7
Many parents are surprised to learn that an orthodontic evaluation should happen years before braces are ever discussed. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should be screened by age 7, since enough permanent teeth have typically arrived by then for an orthodontist to spot developing issues with bite alignment or jaw growth. This is not about starting treatment early. It is about gathering information while your child’s mouth is still changing.
A visit at this age lets us watch how the jaw is forming and how permanent teeth are coming in, well before those patterns become harder to influence. Some children need nothing more than a friendly checkup and a plan to look again in a year or two. Others benefit from early orthodontic treatment that can guide growth before all the permanent teeth have erupted. Either way, an early look means fewer surprises later.
What Happens During the Appointment
A first visit with us starts with getting to know your child, not just their teeth. We ask about habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing, talk through any concerns you have noticed at home, and make sure your child feels comfortable in the chair before anything else happens.
The Clinical Exam
From there, Dr. Simon performs a hands-on exam of the teeth, gums, jaw, and bite. We look at how the upper and lower teeth meet, whether there is enough space for incoming permanent teeth, and whether jaw growth appears to be tracking evenly. Digital images may be taken if we need a closer look below the surface, giving us a clearer picture than what is visible during a routine dental cleaning.
The Conversation Afterward
Once the exam is complete, we sit down with you and explain exactly what we found in plain language. If treatment is not needed yet, we will tell you what to watch for and when to come back. If early intervention would help, we walk through the options and answer every question before you leave. Parents often tell us this conversation is the part that puts them most at ease, since there is no pressure and no guesswork involved.
Common Concerns We Address at This Stage
Every child’s mouth develops differently, so first visits often raise similar questions from parents who are seeing these issues for the first time. A first evaluation gives us the chance to look closely at patterns that are easier to manage early, including:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth as permanent teeth begin coming in
- Crossbites or underbites affecting how the jaw closes
- Extra gaps or spacing between teeth
- Thumb, finger, or pacifier habits affecting tooth position
- Teeth that are erupting in an unusual order or position
Catching these patterns early does not mean your child will need braces right away. In many cases, it simply means we monitor growth over time and step in only when it will make the biggest difference. If a habit-related issue is at play, our habit-breaking appliances can gently guide a child away from behaviors affecting tooth position.
How to Prepare Your Child Beforehand
A little preparation at home goes a long way toward a calm first visit. We encourage parents to talk about the appointment in simple, positive terms, describing it as a chance for a dentist friend to count teeth and take some pictures rather than framing it as a procedure. Kids tend to mirror the tone their parents set, so a relaxed explanation usually leads to a relaxed child.
It also helps to bring along any questions you have jotted down beforehand, along with a short list of any habits or concerns you have noticed, whether that is a lingering thumb-sucking habit or teeth that seem to be coming in crooked. Having these details ready lets us focus the visit on what matters most to your family. For families who are still deciding between providers, our new patient resources walk through everything to expect from that very first phone call to the exam itself.
Why Families Choose Simon Says Smile Orthodontics
At Simon Says Smile Orthodontics, we know a first orthodontic visit is often a family’s introduction to our entire practice, and we take that responsibility seriously. Dr. Hazie Simon is a U.S. Navy veteran and the author of the children’s book Simon Says Smile, and that same commitment to service and connection shapes every appointment in our Chamblee office. We serve patients ages 7 through 25, and we built our practice around the belief that personalized, unhurried care makes all the difference, especially at that very first visit.
If your child is approaching age 7, or if you have simply been wondering when the right time is to schedule that first evaluation, our team is ready to walk you through it with patience and clarity. Reach out to our contact page to schedule your child’s first orthodontic visit today.
