Parents are usually the first to notice any irregular changes in their child’s smile, even if the change seems very subtle. If your little one’s teeth look crowded or their bite doesn’t seem right, they might need orthodontic treatment. At this point, the one most common question parents have is: What is the best age to get braces? We’ll discuss this in detail so you know exactly when to take your child for an orthodontic exam.
Before your child begins braces or another orthodontic treatment, the first thing they are going to need is an orthodontic exam. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7.
Sounds too early? We get that from a lot of parents. The first appointment doesn’t mean they’ll get braces right away at this young age.
It’s a simple evaluation, just a little different from your child’s routine dental exam. That’s because the orthodontists closely look at your child’s teeth to detect misalignment or bite issues. They also ask a few questions about your child’s oral habits, like thumb sucking or pacifier use, that can affect their dental alignment.
The best time for a child or teen to get braces is when all of their baby teeth have fallen out and most of their permanent teeth have grown in. This usually happens between the ages of 10 and 14.
It’s a good time to have braces, but don’t think of it as a set age limit. Your teen can have braces later on as well if they miss this time frame.
For some kids, orthodontists recommend early intervention or Phase I treatment. This may start early, which may start as early as 7 years of age. The goal here is to correct habits like thumb sucking and guide jaw growth so the permanent teeth erupt normally. This is followed by Phase II treatment (usually involving full braces) in early teenage years.
Most parents visit an orthodontist when their child’s permanent teeth start growing in crooked. That’s a fair reason. But crooked teeth aren’t the only thing you should look out for. Some other issues are:
It’s time to bring your child to an orthodontist if you see them struggling with any of these problems.
Ideally, the best age for braces is between 10 and 14 years, but your child can have braces after this age as well. The first thing is an orthodontic exam. So if your child is 7 or above, book an exam for them at Aquario Dental & Braces today! Contact our Wayside Drive or West Little York office.
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