What’s the Best Age for Kids to Get Braces?
Even though most people think of orthodontics for pre-teens and teenagers, the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit the orthodontist no later than age 7.
Why is this?
The age recommendation is so young because orthodontics can effectively fix teeth and other oral health issues long before they become serious – treating teeth with orthodontics can and should be done in young children, whenever necessary and possible.
Why Should My Child Get Braces?
Children should get braces and other orthodontic treatment as early as possible.
Orthodontists easily fix problems in young children (before the face and jaw fully grow) that they may not have the flexibility to fix when the child in the teen years. Think of braces and orthodontic treatment for children as early intervention to address the most serious issues, before they become permanent problems.
Here are some of the benefits that orthodontic treatment provides our youngest patients:
- Permanent teeth are guided into a healthy position
- The meeting of the lips is physically and aesthetically improved
- Improved facial appearance
- Correction of harmful oral habits like nail-biting and thumb-sucking
- Lowered the risk of trauma to misaligned teeth
- Guide jaw growth to a proper relationship
Can My Child Wait a Few Years Before Seeing an Orthodontist?
Even if your child’s teeth appear to be straight, it’s important to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist: there may be other issues that only an orthodontist can diagnose – and without early intervention, can become bigger problems down the line.
In most cases, your child won’t need braces immediately –the first checkup with an orthodontist will likely reveal that your child doesn’t need treatment right away. (However, there are cases where early childhood orthodontic treatment is essential). So, bring your child to the orthodontist for a checkup – you’ll get treatment recommendations, a monitoring schedule, and a full rundown of all of your treatment (and timing!) options.
It’s best not to wait for your general pediatric dentist to refer you to an orthodontist: orthodontists can spot subtle problems that may not be evident during a routine teeth cleaning and exam.
If severe problems are left undiagnosed and untreated while the child is young, braces alone might not be enough to fix the issues later. By correcting problems now, you’re sparing your child complex
and invasive treatments in the future.
Braces and Other Orthodontic Treatment for Children: What to Expect
If your orthodontist determines your child needs early interceptive treatment, here are some of the things that they might recommend:
- Expansion of the upper and/or lower arches
- Developing the child’s jaw to make room for further eruption of permanent teeth
- Improving the relationship between upper and lower jaws.
This first phase of treatment for children is minor and non-invasive. It usually lasts 9-18 months – the child might then need to be put on a retainer and a recall schedule.
Children who have bigger problems fixed with early treatment often make great Invisalign candidates for their 2nd phase of treatment. Also, that 2nd phase might be shorter overall with early intervention.
If your child has had early interceptive treatment, make sure to return to the orthodontist for the 2nd phase of treatment to finish their case. Just because things look okay, doesn’t mean there aren’t other functional issues the orthodontist needs to fix.
When it comes to my youngest patients, I’m extremely conservative with early interceptive treatment. I only recommend treatment when I can make a significant difference. However, I’m always glad when a parent brings their child in early so we can be sure to address any serious issues to fix while the child is still growing.
I know all parents, myself included, would love to help their child avoid invasive treatment. One of the best ways to do this is to bring your child to an orthodontist early – even if their teeth look straight to you, make sure to have an expert evaluate your child’s mouth.
We’re here to help!
Call today to schedule your free consultation for early interceptive treatment for your child.
