As many as 50% of children need braces to straighten their teeth. If your child has lost all of their baby teeth and their permanent teeth have come in, you may have started thinking about whether braces are on the horizon.
But how early can children get braces? The answer is anywhere between ages 7 and 13, but orthodontists don’t only go by age when determining a child’s timeline for braces. They also consider several other factors as part of a comprehensive orthodontic treatment plan.
If you’re wondering whether it’s time for your child to get braces, contact Dental Arts of New Orleans today to consult a reputable orthodontist in New Orleans, LA.
What You Need To Know About Your Child Getting Braces
People at almost any stage of life can straighten their teeth with braces. However, braces are more common among children and teens than adults.
Starting orthodontic treatment during childhood could streamline the process, as children’s teeth are more flexible than mature adult teeth. An orthodontist may be able to correct underbites, overbites, and other alignment issues faster in children than in adults.
Beginning your child’s orthodontic treatment now allows them to benefit from a shorter treatment time, prevent further issues, and enjoy a lifetime of straight, beautiful teeth. So when can children get braces?
What Age Should Children Get Braces?
According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should visit an orthodontist by the age of seven. At this stage, orthodontists can create treatment plans that may span several years and include a few different orthodontic treatments, such as retainers, expanders, and braces.
Most children don’t start braces at age seven. Orthodontists prefer to wait until a child has lost all of their baby teeth, which usually occurs between ages nine and thirteen, to begin a long-term treatment like braces. They may start a child with a palate expander or removable retainers to get their teeth to a point where braces would be successful.
Even if a child’s adult teeth have not fully come in by the time they start braces, the orthodontist can use X-rays to see where they will come in and adjust the treatment plan accordingly.
How Do You Know When Your Child Needs Braces?
If your child has an obvious overbite or underbite or their teeth are noticeably crooked, there’s a good chance they will need some sort of orthodontic care. But even if their teeth look relatively straight, you should consider taking them to an orthodontist for an initial exam.
Your child could have overcrowding or other issues near the back of their mouth that you cannot see when they smile but that will only worsen without treatment. Braces and other orthodontic treatments don’t only straighten your child’s smile; they help prevent teeth pain and issues with the jaw that require more extensive treatment down the line.
Don’t rely on your own visual assessment of your child’s teeth. An orthodontist can take X-rays and perform an examination to determine if and when your child needs braces or other orthodontic care.
What Happens If You Wait To Get Your Child Braces?
You may consider delaying your child’s orthodontic care for a few years, but doing so will only prolong their treatment. Their teeth will continue to shift until an orthodontist has implemented the devices to return them to proper alignment. You may end up paying more for treatments down the line than you would now, before your child’s overbite or crowding issues worsen.
Seek Pediatric Orthodontic Care From Dental Arts of New Orleans
At Dental Arts of New Orleans, we perform pediatric dentistry and orthodontics. Our experienced and compassionate team can help your child with everything from putting on their braces to taking care of braces for oral health.
If you’re wondering when children can get braces or you have other questions about your child’s orthodontic care, don’t hesitate to contact our office. We can schedule an initial visit to evaluate your child’s teeth and explain any treatments we would recommend.Contact us today at (504) 300-0520 to book your appointment.
