Orthodontic care can seem tough, and when it comes to your kid, you become even more conscious. Leaving the teeth untreated or delaying treatment only invites more dental issues. One such thing is having aligned teeth. If it’s missing, then your kid’s teeth should get braces. But as a parent, you must be wondering what age do kids get braces? This guide will answer your question.
What Age Do Kids Get Braces?
The right answer is when your kid has permanent teeth i.e. between 9 to 14 years. However, 7 to 12 is considered a good age for your kid’s first orthodontist visit. But why do you need to get a dental checkup for your kid at this age?
It’s time to take your child to orthodontist if you notice:
- crooked teeth
- overcrowding of teeth in your child’s mouth
- they experience bite issues
Visiting early will help in getting teeth checked by a professional. They can do x-rays to check teeth alignment and can also ask a couple of questions like:
- is your kid mouth breather
- is your child thumb sucker
Such conditions also affect a child’s dental health and curbing them at an early age helps in avoiding complications later. After a dental examination your dentist is the right person to decide if your kid needs braces. They will guide you with what age do kids get braces or what age do braces start?
Why Getting Braces at The Right Age is Important?
You might be thinking your child is young or must be getting puzzled between questions like is 11 a good age to get braces or is 12 a good age to get braces? Well getting braces at this age is vital because it is the time when the head and mouth of your child are in growing phase. Shifting of misaligned teeth at this age becomes easier.
Early Evaluation
Wait!! Are you thinking here that going for early evaluation means can kids get braces with baby teeth?
Sometimes it is necessary to go only for consultation at an early age. Braces are not important at that time. It is necessary to plan things and manage the complications at an earlier age.
Taking your child to the dentist when he or she is 6 or 7 years old will help in identifying any problems with emerging teeth or jaw growth. Early detections eliminate the complications or invasive treatments at later stages.
Early corrective measures with the Aidite dentistry solutions can also help shape space for your baby’s teeth. It is necessary to let the teeth grow in their required space.
Here your dentist can also advise you to help kids eliminate some of the habits that are impacting their teeth health. These can be using a pacifier for a longer time, thumb sucking, etc. Avoiding these will help your child in return.
Common Age for Braces
If you ask what age do kids get braces, we will say, most kids get braces between 10 to 14 years. This is the age when the jaw is in the growing phase and permanent teeth have shown up.
At this stage, the orthodontists guide teeth to their respective positions with braces. Moreover, kids are also more receptive to braces at this age because the treatment usually completes before their high school.
They will not hesitate smiling then because the braces are no longer on their teeth affecting their beautiful smile.
Factors on Which Timing of Braces Depends
We have already said that the right age for getting braces is between 9 to 14 years. But what age do kids get braces also depends on several factors. Some of them are here:
Dental Growth or Development
Every child is unique and so does their dental development. Some get milk teeth earlier some later and this holds true while losing milk teeth.
This process affects the timing of your orthodontic treatment that is at what age braces get put on your child’s teeth.some may get at 9 years, some at 10, etc. It depends on the individual’s dental health.
Dental Problem Severity
The intervention of dental treatment with braces depends on how severe or complex the issue is with your kid’s teeth. The more severe the problem, the more early intervention it demands.
Orthodontist’s Evaluation
Have you started taking your baby for dental visits from an earlier age? If yes, then they will have track of your kid’s dental development. In such cases, your dentist will tell you what is the best age to get braces for a child.
How Will an Orthodontist Determine the Requirement of Braces?
An orthodontist will do a thorough checkup before deciding whether the child needs braces and at what age. Some of the common factors they will look at are:
- Examination of baby and permanent teeth
- Face examination
- Lips and jaws examination
- Proper bite
After addressing all the required issues they will come up with the dental treatment plan. It includes what type of braces, for what duration, and at what age is right for your kid. In some cases, you also have the option whether you want to go with braces or Invisalign.
Signs Your Kid Needs Braces
Your kid might be facing some issues while chewing or biting or you may notice some appearance problems with their teeth.
You can even ask your kid if they are facing any problems with their teeth. If any problem comes to your notice you can visit the dentist. He is the sole person to identify whether braces are required and what age do kids get braces.
There is no such thing as the worst age to get braces. Some even get it at an adult’s age. But early intervention can help in deciding whether any prior treatment is required before having braces.
Moreover, if required, it is good to get braces when the permanent teeth have erupted and the jaw is under development. This helps in the completion of teeth correction treatment comfortably, easily, and quickly.
Some of the Alarming Signs That Your Kid’s Teeth May Need Braces
Some of the Alarming Signs That Your Kid’s Teeth May Need Braces
Various issues signify your kid needs braces. Here are some:
- Misaligned or Unevenly Spaced Teeth
When kids have harmful oral habits like thumb sucking even after 4 or 5 years, it can be a cause of concern. Such habits can lead to irregular alignment or problems in the growth of teeth.
- Speech Problems
Dental misalignments can also cause speech problems. Braces move teeth to their proper space and clears speech by improving bite. Your child will pronounce more clearly thereafter.
- Irregular Baby Teeth Loss
If your kid loses milk teeth early or late, there are chances of eruption of misaligned permanent teeth. In such cases teeth are aligned with braces.
- Jaw Shifts or Make Sounds
Jaw discrepancies can cause pain and discomfort while speaking and chewing. Dental braces help in correcting such jaw shifts.
If you observe any such facial imbalance it’s time to see a dentist.
What Happens if Kids Teeth Don’t Get Braces if Required
You know what age do kids get braces and signs that teeth need braces. Now you should also know what happens if teeth don’t get braces if required. Certain problems that your children will experience if their teeth don’t have braces upon requirement are:
- Visible gap in your teeth.
- Permanent shifting of teeth which can result in jaw pain.
- Upper or lower jaw bone extending out of the normal surface of the face. Apart from disturbing facial appearance, it can even cause pain.
- Jaw or tooth pain while biting or chewing food. It can also result in dental oral surgery later if left untreated.
- Difficulty in maintaining oral hygiene as efficient brushing and flossing of teeth becomes difficult or not possible even.
- Lack of proper cleaning of teeth results in plaque build-up and thus gum diseases.
Some Other Facts About Braces
- You know what age do kids get braces, but for how long depends on the type of braces and your dental issues. Usually, it takes 18 to 30 months.
- Every 4 to 8 weeks your kid will have an appointment with the dentist. It is needed for the adjustment of braces to make your teeth move and shift to the right place.
- Teeth will get retainers for a few months to years after braces to let teeth settle down and not shift again. Some even get permanent retainers.
- Braces include brackets fixed on teeth and interconnecting wire. It is tightened on every sitting as required and can provide some discomfort for a few days.
- Some of your teeth can also be extracted if there is no room for teeth to move and align.
Closing Words
Now you know what age do kids get braces, and also have an idea of what to expect when taking your child to the orthodontist. So, let your child enjoy a healthier-looking smile by letting your child have braces on time.
After getting teeth corrected with the braces from professionals using Aidite dental equipment, your child will experience a good change while eating. They will also feel confident while eating, smiling, and talking with their beautifully aligned teeth.
FAQ’s
Do braces weaken your teeth?
No, it applies controlled pressure to move teeth to their correct position. At the time of treatment, the teeth can seem a bit loose but that is temporary.
Can treatment with braces fail?
Usually, it doesn’t, but if it does, it can be because of the negligence of patients. Patients are advised not to eat hard things when braces are on their teeth. Still, if you do it will result in breakage of wires.
Do braces affect your voice?
No, the change can be temporary, that is when you are getting used to braces in
your mouth. When your mouth gets familiar with it and you are used to it then your speech will become normal.