Did you know that over 4 million people in the United States are currently wearing braces? While one in four of these people is an adult, the other 75% are children.
Braces of course are a common sight in any elementary or middle school as kids have their teeth realigned for a healthy future.
Many parents wonder when to get braces for kids and which type of braces are best. In this article, we will walk you through everything you need to know about the best age to get braces and provide some general advice about braces for kids.
Orthodontic Treatment Isn’t Simply a Cosmetic Issue
Before diving into the issue of the right age for your child to start braces, we may need to reframe the perspective about orthodontics.
Many individuals, including parents, associate orthodontic treatment with cosmetics or even cosmetic surgery.
It’s true that orthodontics does help children achieve the traditional standard for a better smile, however, there is another side to the field. It’s also important to consider orthodontics to help address issues for kids that make it hard for them to eat, speak, or breathe.
So even if you or your child are happy with their smile, it is good to have an orthodontic evaluation to ensure that your child’s function will not be affected.
Starting Young
As with any other pediatric medical or dental issue, it’s always best to have a provider on board as soon as possible. The more you have additional medical eyes on your child, the more likely you are to detect any issues early and correct the problem before it gets worse.
Oral health is no different. It’s a good idea to have a dentist or orthodontist evaluate your child before they are 7 years old. Around this time most children are starting to get their permanent adult teeth.
So What Is the Best Age to Start Braces for Kids?
Of course, many factors go into answering this question. The best time to get braces will depend on the child themselves, their growth rate, and both of your attitudes toward braces in their overall social development.
As a general rule of thumb, most kids should start to get braces between the ages of 9 and 14 years old.
It’s a good idea to do this before they’ve gone through puberty. This is because significant changes occur during puberty, and it is harder to adjust the jaw or teeth afterward.
Remember that there are many different types of braces available, like metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear solutions like Invisalign aligners.
Orthodontics for Kids
At the end of the day, the best age to start braces for kids depends on the individual child. However, 9 to 14 is a common and acceptable age for most children.
The overall goal is to begin to install braces before the child has gone through puberty to simplify and reduce the length of time your child has their teeth realigned.
If you enjoyed this guide to getting braces, please check out the related articles on our blog!
