Most parents assume orthodontic treatment starts when braces go on a twelve-year-old. In reality, the window that matters most opens much earlier, and missing it can mean more complex, more expensive treatment down the road. A pediatric orthodontic evaluation gives your child’s developing jaw and teeth the attention they need before small problems grow into big ones.
At McCullum Orthodontics in Jeffersonville, Indiana, we welcome children for evaluations starting as young as six or seven years old. Dr. Heather McCullum earned her DMD degree summa cum laude from the University of Louisville, graduated as valedictorian of her dental class, and has dedicated her career to delivering personalized, compassionate orthodontic care for patients of all ages. She has seen patients as young as six years old and understands that every child’s development is different.
A pediatric orthodontic evaluation is a low-pressure, informative appointment. No braces go on, and no treatment starts unless it is clearly in your child’s best interest. Dr. McCullum will examine your child’s teeth, jaw alignment, bite function, and airway, looking for signs of developmental issues that are far easier to address at a young age.
During the evaluation, Dr. McCullum assesses several key areas that shape a child’s long-term oral health. She looks at how baby and permanent teeth are erupting, whether the upper and lower jaws are growing proportionally, and whether there are signs of crowding, crossbite, open bite, or underbite. She also evaluates airway health, since breathing habits and jaw development are closely connected. Habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing can affect the shape of the palate and the positioning of the teeth over time, and catching these patterns early gives us more options for gentle correction.
After the exam, Dr. McCullum will walk you through what she found in straightforward, easy-to-follow terms. Many children leave with a clean bill of health and a follow-up schedule to monitor growth over time. Others may benefit from early interceptive treatment, which is designed to guide jaw development, create space for incoming permanent teeth, or correct a bite issue before the bones mature and treatment becomes more involved.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. By this age, children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth that gives an orthodontist a clear picture of how the jaw is growing and how the bite is forming. Waiting until all permanent teeth have come in can mean waiting too long, since some of the most effective interventions rely on the jaw still being in an active growth phase.
Getting an evaluation at the right time does not mean rushing your child into treatment. It means having the information you need to make smart decisions and, if treatment is needed, starting it when it will be most effective and least invasive.
When an evaluation reveals a concern that benefits from early action, we have a full range of interceptive options available. Dr. McCullum has advanced training in treatments designed specifically for growing patients, and she approaches each case with the same care and attention she brings to every appointment.
Every option above is individualized to your child’s specific needs. Dr. McCullum will never recommend treatment that is not clinically appropriate.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children have their first orthodontic check-up no later than age 7. At McCullum Orthodontics, we welcome evaluations starting as young as age 6. Early evaluations allow Dr. McCullum to identify developing concerns while the jaw is still growing — when correction is often simpler, less invasive, and less expensive.
Not at all. Many children who come in for an evaluation leave with a clean bill of health and a monitoring schedule. The evaluation is informational — no treatment starts unless it is clearly in your child’s best interest, and Dr. McCullum will never recommend something that isn’t clinically necessary.
Key signs include crowded or overlapping teeth, difficulty biting or chewing, mouth breathing or snoring, thumb-sucking past age 4–5, early or late loss of baby teeth, and a jaw that shifts, clicks, or appears uneven. Any one of these warrants a consultation — and if you are not sure, the evaluation will tell you.
Yes. Every first consultation at McCullum Orthodontics is completely free of charge. No referral from your child’s dentist is required. Dr. McCullum personally evaluates every child and walks parents through the findings before any decision is made. Contact us to schedule.
Dr. McCullum has specific advanced training in airway-focused orthodontics and early interceptive care — one of the few providers in the Jeffersonville area with this depth of expertise. She evaluates not just tooth alignment, but jaw development, airway health, and breathing patterns together. This comprehensive view gives families far more complete information than a standard dental referral.
McCullum Orthodontics is one of the few practices in the Jeffersonville area with deep training in airway-focused orthodontics and early interceptive care. Dr. McCullum is a southern Indiana native, a mom of a child with special needs, and a provider who takes time with every patient and every family. She received the American Association of Orthodontists Award during dental school and conducted original research during her residency on reducing radiation exposure for young patients. We also offer flexible financing and payment options to make sure cost is never a barrier to getting your child the evaluation they need. If your child is approaching age seven, or if you have noticed signs of crowding, bite issues, or breathing concerns at any age, we encourage you to contact our office and schedule a complimentary consultation today.
McCullum Orthodontics is conveniently located in Jeffersonville, Indiana, serving patients throughout southern Indiana and the greater Louisville area.
