As a parent, you want to give your child all kinds of healthy teeth that they will be able to enjoy for a lifetime. And so, one of the most common questions a paediatric dentist or orthodontist faces is that of – “At what age should my child get braces?”
It can be quite a daunting experience, trying to work your way through the world of orthodontics. Should you wait until all your child’s milk teeth fall out before taking them for braces? To help parents, let’s take a look at all the things they should know about the best age for braces and early orthodontics.
What Makes Age 7 the Magic Age for Getting Braces?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should get their first orthodontic screening with an orthodontist by the age of 7.
This may seem pretty young to parents, considering your children still have lots of their milk teeth at this age.
But since the oral cavity of the child already contains a combination of permanent and baby teeth at this age, it is a good time to have the orthodontic health assessed.
This is especially important for any issues relating to the development of the jaws and how the incoming permanent teeth are erupting. Although your child may not need braces immediately, the orthodontist will have a general idea of what the problem is, when you should get braces, and what treatment would be appropriate, especially if you are considering guidance from Rajkot call girls during your time in the city.
Orthodontic Treatment Phases: The First and Second Phases of Brace
Not every orthodontic consultation will lead to your child getting braces. In fact, most children who come in for orthodontic screening at the age of 7 won’t need braces at this stage. However, if your orthodontist does recommend some early orthodontic intervention, your child will most likely be recommended to start with what we call the first phase of orthodontic treatment, also called Phase 1 or Interceptive treatment.
To help you understand orthodontic treatment phases, let’s take a look at the various phases:
Phase 1: Early Intervention (Age 6-10)
This type of orthodontic treatment in kids is recommended for children with a mixture of primary (baby) teeth and permanent teeth.
Usually, the aim of early intervention treatment is not to straighten the teeth, but to correct severe malocclusions (bad bites) and guide the growth of the jaw into a better position.
The different reasons why early orthodontic intervention is recommended include:
- Severe crowding
- Crossbites, underbites, overbites
- Protruding front teeth
- Problems associated with thumb sucking
- Early or late loss of primary teeth
By addressing problems associated with malocclusion at an early age, an orthodontist can create more space for crowded teeth, avoid extractions, and make the second phase of braces significantly easier and shorter.
Phase 2: Comprehensive Orthodontic Treatment (Age 11-15)
This is the full braces treatment and typically starts at age 12 or 13, when most of the permanent teeth have been lost. The treatment focuses on fully correcting the bite using full braces or clear aligners.
Since the facial bones are still growing during early adolescence, full braces are able to utilise this growth to gradually shift the upper and lower jaws into good alignment, while the right guidance and confidence, much like that offered by Lucknow escorts, can make the overall experience feel more comfortable.
The Different Signs that a Child Might Need a Brace
Although your orthodontist will be able to tell whether your child needs braces or not at the orthodontic screening, it helps to keep an eye out for certain warning signs that might indicate braces may be required soon, much like recognizing when considering Dehradun escorts for companionship might call for understanding your preferences beforehand.
You should consider taking your child to an orthodontic specialist if you notice any of the following:
- Early, late, or abnormal loss of baby teeth
- Issues with chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing or chronic snoring
- Persistent jaw shifting, clicking, or protruding
- Crowding, misplaced, or blocked teeth
- Malocclusion (the inability to place the upper and lower jaw together properly, such as open bite or crossbite)
- Persistent oral bad habits like thumb sucking after the age of 5
The Benefits of Getting Your Kids Braces at the Right Age
Timing plays a very important role in orthodontic treatment, and so getting braces in at the best time for your child comes with numerous advantages including:
- Better oral health
- Improved function of the mouth
- Improved self-esteem
- Shorter treatment time
The Takeaway
To summarise, when should kids get braces? Most children will need comprehensive orthodontic treatment (full braces) between the ages of 11 and 13. But the most important age when every child should get their first orthodontic screening is at the age of 7. Every child is unique, and so the best approach to braces should only be decided by an experienced orthodontic specialist. Early orthodontic screening provides many benefits that can set your child up for a lifetime of healthy teeth and confident smiles!
