Braces are something that the majority of children get at some point in their life, and they are a great tool for achieving that picture-perfect smile we all want to have. However, the timing of when we fit braces on your child can determine the results that you see and how straight their teeth will remain in the future. If you’ve been wondering if it’s the right time for your child to get braces, keep reading as we share with you the best age range for braces.
What is the best age to wear braces?
The best age for your child to have braces will depend on their teeth and mouth. Parents know that no two kids grow at the same rate, so some will go through puberty sooner than others. When it comes to braces, most children will want to look into this between the ages of 9 and 14. It’s easier for us to work with children who have yet to enter puberty, as their jaw and teeth are easier to fix and adjust at this time. When they settle into their fully-formed position, fitting braces can be a much bigger task and commitment.
When to Get an Initial Evaluation for Braces
While between 9 and 14 is a great time to have braces fitted, make sure you work with a dentist earlier than that to evaluate whether your child will need braces or not. Braces are nothing to be ashamed of, and the majority of children in the US get braces to correct their smiles. You’ll find that most dentists will bring up the topic of braces naturally if you are attending regular check-ups for their teeth.
Usually, around the age of six or seven, children will start to get their permanent teeth. At this time, we’ll be able to start looking into their teeth alignment and check that both their jaw and teeth are growing properly. Some children do require more serious orthodontic treatment if the teeth aren’t settling in the right position, but a dental professional will monitor any issues to catch them before it’s too late. The sooner we get to work on perfecting your child’s teeth, the less likely we’ll find issues later on in life.
How a Dentist Can Help to Find the Right Age for Braces
As a parent, you’ll probably be able to tell if your child’s teeth are crooked or straight, but there’s a lot more to fitting braces than just alignment. Even if your child’s teeth are perfectly straight, some people need a brace to fix a large overbite or other alignment issues. That’s why we always recommend working with a dentist or orthodontist who will help to find the best time in your child’s life to receive braces. We know that some children really struggle with the idea of wearing braces, but we can show them the results they can expect and share with them the benefits of getting braces. In their adult life, they’ll be so thankful that they had braces early on, as a perfect smile can do so much to boost your confidence.
Orthodontic treatment isn’t just about the cosmetic results, but we know many adults and children are fixated on this side of the work. Of course, we hope wearing braces will give your child a better smile, but you’ll find that there’s so much more to getting braces than just that. Braces can help to correct alignment issues that could make it more of a challenge to speak, eat, and breathe in the future. These are all things we need to safely do on a daily basis, but for some children, their teeth and jaw alignment stop them from living a healthy life. If your child has any of these issues, your doctor might refer them to a dentist or orthodontist so that we can see if there’s anything we can do to help them.
Getting braces is an exciting but daunting moment in a child’s life. We’ll be here to support them through this process and ensure they are comfortable at all times. After a short period of treatment, your child will be left with a stunning smile that will fill them with confidence as they head into their teenage and adult years.
Keep Your Family’s Teeth Healthy with the Help of Florida Children’s Dentistry
Going to the dentist can be scary — we get it. But it should be fun! Whether it’s care for baby teeth, big kid teeth, oral surgery, or orthodontics, our team of specialized pediatric dentists make the experience memorable while teaching you how to encourage healthy habits and good hygiene for lifelong smiles. Call us today or request an appointment online. We can’t wait to meet you!