What Age Do Kids Get Braces? Start Early to Save Their Smile

When is the best time to begin orthodontics?

Parents are delighted to see their child’s first tooth. But by the time most of the baby teeth are in — and are crooked — they worry about whether their child needs braces. How early can you get braces? Can a 7-year-old get braces?

Two-phase braces treatment is a great option for children who show signs of dental issues early. The sooner those issues are addressed, the easier (and less expensive) the treatment will be. Some problems can be prevented if treated early. 

Appel Orthodontics offers two-phase orthodontic treatment for children. The sooner we address your child’s orthodontic problems, the better off it is for your child. 

When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child consult with an orthodontist by age 7. By then, their baby teeth are all in, and the permanent teeth are starting to come in. Jaw growth and development are still happening, making it easier to provide orthodontic care.

Your orthodontist will start by taking digital images and X-rays of your child’s mouth and performing a full examination. The combination of images and exam will show the orthodontist whether any problems exist now and if there might be problems in the future. It’s the best way to know if your child needs braces. Your orthodontist will then lay out treatment options to repair your child’s smile.

How to Tell If You Need Braces

The X-rays will show whether the permanent teeth are in the proper positions to erupt as they should. Even as the baby teeth come in, the permanent teeth are in the jaw, ready to erupt when the baby teeth fall out. 

Your orthodontist will be able to see whether there is room for the permanent teeth to erupt or if early treatment is needed. Even if your child’s baby teeth look straight, there might not be enough room for permanent teeth, which are bigger and more numerous. 

What happens if your child’s mouth isn’t ready for permanent teeth? Early orthodontic intervention can reduce or eliminate dental issues that can cause problems later. Early orthodontic treatment includes using dental appliances to fix problems, such as a palate expander to make room for permanent teeth or a tongue crib to reposition the tongue away from the front teeth. 

Signs You Need Braces

What will your orthodontist look for to determine if your child needs braces? Your orthodontist will look for signs of malocclusion, or bad bite. The reasons to get braces include:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite
• Open bite 
• Deep bite
• Gap teeth
• Crowded teeth

These issues may not be obvious early on, but they get worse the older you get, which is why your orthodontist will recommend braces for your child sooner rather than later. 

What do braces do? They repair bad bites and move teeth to where they should be. This not only makes it easier to bite and chew, but it also improves speech and even breathing. 

What Age Can You Get Braces?

At what age should kids get braces? Is 8 too early for braces, or age 7? The answer is yes, but your child won’t need to wait long to start early intervention orthodontics. 

Two-phase braces can start at age 9 when Phase I braces treatment begins. At that time, we will usually start with orthodontic appliances, such as a palate expander. This device widens the jaw to make room for permanent teeth. If your child has a problem with tongue thrust, we may place a tongue crib, which repositions the tongue away from the back of the front teeth. 

Orthodontic appliances may solve your child’s dental problems on their own. Most likely, they’ll prepare your child’s mouth for the braces treatment they will need later. 

The best age for braces for kids is usually about ages 11 or 12 when most of the permanent teeth are in. This is when Phase II braces treatment takes place. The jaw is still malleable, making moving the teeth into their proper places easier. That’s why many teenagers get braces treatment. 

Why Does My Child Need Two-Phase Braces Treatment?

Why do two-phase treatment? By preparing your child’s mouth early, we keep their dental problems from getting worse. It shortens the treatment time for braces in the second phase, making braces treatment easier. 

Two-phase treatment also allows us to address habits that may damage your child’s teeth, such as tongue thrust, thumbsucking, or bruxism (teeth grinding). The sooner we can stop these habits, the less damage they will do to your child’s teeth and jaws.

Can Adults Get Braces?

Does this mean only children can get braces? What if you miss out on braces for kids? Can you get braces as an adult? Yes, you can, but it may take a little longer for braces treatment for adults. That’s because the jaw sets — or hardens — once you become an adult. The teeth take a bit longer to start moving. 

However, they will move into place with braces. Adults can also wear clear braces if they’re concerned with the look of traditional metal braces as an adult. So it’s never too late to get adult braces!

Early Braces Treatment in Philadelphia, PA

Orthodontic treatment early can head off major dental problems before they happen. You can start your child’s orthodontic treatment as soon as age 7. Two-phase braces may not be necessary for everyone. 

Appel Orthodontics will never recommend treatment your child doesn’t need. At what age should your kids get braces? Appel Orthodontics can tell you! Schedule an appointment in Philadelphia, PA, for a thorough orthodontic examination, where we will determine whether your child needs braces.