Spacing between the front teeth will often close as the rest of the permanent teeth grow in. Crooked teeth, however, are not the same. When the front teeth are crowded to begin with, the crowding increases as the rest of the permanent teeth break through. Put another way, when 10 permanent teeth try and fit into the space for 8, something’s got to give — and crooked teeth are usually the result.
An early visit to the orthodontist, between the ages of 7 and 9, can identify little problems before they become bigger ones. This is a great time to measure and assess the overall spacing needs in a child’s mouth. And don’t worry, an early visit doesn’t necessarily mean early braces. It’s just another tool to help with prevention, intervention and planning for a healthy, happy smile.