At What Age Are Braces Necessary?

Even though hearing that our child needs braces is not the most desirable news, the fact is that they can greatly improve their overall health and appearance. Crooked teeth can influence their breathing, sleeping habit, and posture, alongside the lack of confidence due to the undesired self-image. 

With the toddlers and the youngsters under the age of 6, there are efficient orthopedic measures that could help the jaw form properly, but what to do if we suspect that our child is a suitable candidate for braces already? How can we tell if it’s too early to take some action? 

Besides the crooked teeth that are the most common reason, parents decide to pay the visit to their trusted orthodontist, overlapping teeth, malocclusion (bad bite), thumb sucking, or tooth loss also indicate that it’s the right time for the check-up. After this initial step is taken and you are fully familiar with the findings, there is one last thing to consider – is your child’s age right for braces? 

When Is the Right Time to Get an Orthodontic Evaluation and Consider Braces?

The recommended time for an orthodontic check-up is by the age of 7, while the right time to get the dental braces depends on the severity of the case and the cause of misalignment of the child’s teeth. 

The earliest suitable age for braces should be related to the loss of primary teeth and the majority of adult teeth showing up, which is between the ages of 8 and 14. Still, most of the orthodontic issues that can be solved by braces are best treated after all the permanent teeth have come out. The advantage of an early orthodontist appointment is that it can confirm whether your child needs braces or will require them in the future too. 

Keep in mind that there are some steps that you need to take to properly prepare your child for braces since this period of their lives might be particularly emotional and delicate. 

What are the Common Signs That Your Child Might Need Braces?

Besides the occurrences that we already mentioned (irregular teeth loss, thumb sucking, troubles with breathing), there are some repetitive activities that your child performs due to discomfort. The one that you’ll certainly notice is jaw shifting that produces quite an unpleasant sound and biting the cheek or roof of the mouth, which may cause some serious damage to the tissue. 

Always monitor your child’s teeth for misalignments, which come in different types. The first one includes the upper teeth barely overlapping the bottom ones, while the other two are recognized as the overbites and underbites. The majority of orthodontic problems may be inherited, but others develop over time. Finger sucking or constant breathing through the mouths can create potential conditions for braces, but we can’t exclude poor dental hygiene too. Therefore, a healthy dental routine that includes proper brushing, flossing, and kids’ mouthwash usage is a great start, no matter the case. 

Are Purely Cosmetic Braces Equally Important and Necessary as The Medical Ones?

If you are a self-conscious adult, then you are familiar with the overwhelming feeling the awareness can bring upon us. Now, try to remember how troubling it was when you were a teenager, and when everything someone said was incredibly important. Luckily, those days are over for some, but your child might be suffering due to the crowded teeth and unattractive smile. By contributing to building healthy self-esteem and preventing some social problems of today’s harsh teenage world, cosmetic braces will bring back the most important thing – your child’s confident smile. So, in case you were wondering whether they are necessary, this is your answer. The suitable age for cosmetic braces depends solely on your child’s needs. 

How Can I Prepare my Little One for Braces?

Many parents worry that their children are too young for the braces and therefore, difficult to adjust to. The truth is, it doesn’t have to be like that at all! Normally, your child will feel a bit fearful about the procedure, but you can always do the old trick and find something for them that they will look forward to. Sometimes, that’s a new toy, a video game, or a fact that they get to choose various braces colors. 

If you are worried that the pain after adjustment would be too much for your child, keep in mind that a mild pain reliever would do just fine (the orthodontist will prescribe some), while the special edible wax will prevent their cheeks and gums from irritation of any kind. The same applies when it comes to the braces or wires poking sensation. 

Is There an Age limit for the Braces?

This is an easy one – no, there is not! No matter if 8 or 18, your child can get the braces they require and be awarded a forever-beautiful smile. The only conditions that dental professionals need are a healthy jaw bone and permanent teeth.