People can benefit from orthodontic treatment at any age. The Canadian Association of Orthodontics (CAO) and American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommend that every child should see an orthodontist as early as age 7. There are many advantages to seeking early diagnosis as treatment options can become more limited once all the permanent teeth have come in and facial growth has slowed. By guiding the growth of the jaws, issues such as crowded teeth can be addressed — often eliminating the need for complicated treatment, such as adult tooth removal or surgery. In addition, some underlying causes of orthodontic problems — such as a dependency to breathe through the mouth instead of the nose, thumbsucking and dental decay — can be recognized early to prevent problems from worsening.