We’ll make it easy for you: there are signs that will show you when it’s time to see an orthodontist like Dr. Ryan Booth or Dr. Evan Booth. But how do you know what to look for? It’s not like the teeth and jaws come with a manual! Our Booth Orthodontics team helps families in Homer Glen and the surrounding areas find out what’s really going on behind their smiles. If you think you might need orthodontic care, here are 7 common signs that will help you know it’s time to visit an orthodontist.

Crowded, Crooked, or Gapped Teeth

Got a mirror handy? What do you see when you look at your or your child’s teeth? If they’re overlapping, turning, or spaced too far apart, it could be a sign that you or your kiddo needs orthodontic care. Crowded or crooked teeth can trap food and plaque (blek!). That makes it a lot harder to keep everything clean. Gaps, on the other hand, may create alignment issues as more teeth come in.

In our office in Homer Glen, we often see kids who struggle to floss or brush effectively due to tight spaces. Early orthodontic care can help shift your teeth into better positions. That’ll be the key to better orthodontic hygiene. Plus, it’ll help prevent bigger issues down the road.

Bite Doesn’t Line Up

Not all smiles close the same way. Some people suffer from what Dr. Ryan and Dr. Evan call “malocclusions” (bad bites). An overbite means your top teeth stick out too far. But with an underbite, the bottom teeth are in front. Crossbites and open bites are common, too, and all of them can affect how your teeth fit together.

These bite issues aren’t just cosmetic. They can cause uneven wear, make chewing more difficult, or even affect speech. If your child avoids crunchy foods or chews only on one side, their bite may be to blame. Our team at Booth Orthodontics recognizes all the signs for orthodontic treatment in Homer Glen and nearby areas to bring bites back into balance.

Chewing or Biting Feels Off

If it hurts to chew, or your child complains that biting into a sandwich feels weird, that’s a sign for an orthodontic appointment. Misaligned teeth can make eating awkward and even painful. Over time, they may cause jaw fatigue or uneven pressure on certain teeth.

At Booth Orthodontics, we use digital scanning (no goopy impressions!) to see exactly how your teeth come together. Then, we build a plan that helps you or your child chew easily and comfortably again.

Jaw Pain, Grinding, or Clicking

Jaw pain isn’t always about stress. If you or your child has frequent headaches, sore jaw muscles, or hears clicking when opening wide, it could be related to how the teeth fit together. Many people with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) issues also grind or clench their teeth at night, wearing them down.

Our Homer Glen orthodontists often catch these signs early in teens and adults. Using braces, aligners, or even jaw expanders, we can relieve pressure and reduce pain before it becomes a bigger problem.

Biting the Cheek or Lip Often

Accidentally biting your cheek or lip now and then isn’t a big deal. But if it happens all the time, something may be off with how your teeth are aligned. This is especially common in kids whose back teeth aren’t coming together the right way.

An orthodontist, like Dr. Ryan or Dr. Evan, can adjust the bite so that everything fits together more smoothly. At Booth Orthodontics, we offer orthodontic treatments like braces or clear aligners. Our professionals can help you determine the best time for orthodontic treatment and realign your teeth into better positions so that eating and talking feel more natural.

Speech Sounds Off

If your child has trouble pronouncing “S,” “T,” or “TH” sounds, it could be more than a speech delay. Teeth that are too far apart (or misaligned) can change the way the tongue moves during speech.

While speech therapy can help, orthodontic treatment often solves the physical cause. We’ve helped many families in Homer Glen combine speech and timely orthodontic care with great results. Clear aligners like Invisalign can be especially helpful for teens who want a less obvious option.

Baby Teeth Are Falling Out Too Early or Too Late

Most kids start losing their baby teeth around age 6 or 7. If teeth fall out much earlier (or they’re still hanging on by age 9 or 10), it can affect how permanent teeth grow.

This is one of the reasons we recommend a child’s first orthodontic visit around age 7. It doesn’t always mean braces right away, but early monitoring gives us a chance to guide the smile as it develops. In Homer Glen and surrounding areas, our Booth Orthodontics team provides early treatment options like two-phase therapy and expanders to keep growth on track.

Bonus Signs It’s Time For Orthodontic Treatment

Even if the top 7 signs aren’t obvious, a few other clues can hint that a check-up is a good idea:

• Mouth breathing (especially during sleep)
• Thumb-sucking or tongue-thrusting past age 5
• Grinding or clenching at night
• Jaw shifting, popping, or locking
• A smile that just “feels off”

We see these every day at Booth Orthodontics, and on-time orthodontic treatment often means easier treatment.

Treatment at Booth Orthodontics

We’re proud to care for families throughout Homer Glen. At your free consultation, you’ll meet Dr. Ryan Booth or Dr. Evan Booth, get a full exam (including digital imaging), and learn about treatment options tailored to you or your child. Whether you need braces, clear aligners, or early growth guidance, we’ll walk you through everything with no pressure. Parents love our flexible payment options, kind team, and easy-to-understand plans.

If any of these signs sound familiar (crowded teeth, chewing issues, jaw pain, or speech struggles), it’s time to check in. Catching orthodontic problems on time or early can mean shorter treatment, fewer complications, and a smile that lasts. If you’re ready to schedule your first free consultation with Dr. Ryan or Dr. Evan, go here. Our team at Booth Orthodontics is Homer Glen’s neighborhood orthodontic team.