Your bite function, jaw alignment, and smile all play important roles in your dental health and in basic functions like breathing, speaking, and chewing, but even slight misalignment can be an indication of more serious problems with your facial structure that can cause complications down the road. As such, any time you notice any irregularities in your or your child’s smile or alignment is a good time to see an orthodontist. You may want to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist if you or your child are experiencing: Difficulty chewing or biting Crossbites, underbites, or overbites Mouth breathing Extra or missing teeth Teeth clenching or grinding Teeth that don’t meet normally or at all Inability to close lips comfortably Persistent jaw pain Crowded, overlapping, crooked, or protruding teeth Large gaps between teeth   Although the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontic specialist by age 7, and most orthodontic patients will begin treatment between ages 8 and 14, anyone of any age can seek and receive orthodontic treatment.