Many children need orthodontic treatments to correct their bite and improve the appearance of their teeth. Braces cannot only help with aesthetic concerns but also improve a child’s oral and overall health. Therefore, many parents want to start the treatment as soon as possible. This way, their children will not have to go through it later in life. In this article, we will answer the question: what age can kids start braces?
What Age Can Kids Start Braces?
It is expected that it is better to start any orthodontic treatments no earlier than 12 years old, as around this time, the baby teeth are already replaced with permanent ones. However, dental diagnostics and treatment at an early age are important to prevent further issues with a child’s development.
Crooked baby teeth, also called malocclusion, can mean that the jaw of a child is not developing in a proper way. There can be reasons for such health issues, such as:
- Issues with facial growth and airways, leading to difficulty breathing
- Bad posture
- Poor sleep habits
- Issues with speech development
- Difficulty eating
- Tongue and chicks biting leading to mouth sores
- Jaw joint issues
- Difficulty cleaning the teeth
- Overall poor oral health, including tooth decay and gum disease
That is why, in some cases, a corrective or preventive therapy might be needed even before baby teeth fall out.
Signs That Your Child Might Need an Orthodontic Treatment
If you notice the following symptoms, it is better to consult a dentist as early as possible, including if your child:
- Has teeth that are crooked or overcrowded
- Breathes through their mouth
- Snores when sleeping or has trouble sleeping
- Has a slumped posture
- Has venous pooling or dark circles under their eyes
Some of these symptoms can be caused by a crooked upper dental arch, which makes sinuses and upper airways cramped.
When to Plan an Orthodontic Checkup?
AAO (the American Association of Orthodontists) advises parents to arrange an orthodontic checkup for their children by the age 7. An early treatment with braces for kids, also called Phase I treatment, can be applied before all the permanent teeth are formed. Usually, the best time for such treatment is between 7 and 10 years of age.
The objective of Phase I orthodontic treatment is to make enough room for the permanent teeth and to ensure proper jaw development. This will help a growing child avoid many health issues in the future.
How Can Kids Braces Help?
Kids braces can be helpful with solving or preventing such issues as:
- Underbite
- Overbite
- Incorrectly developing upper or lower jaw
- Reduced or small airways
- Obstructed breathing
- Chronic sinus infections
- Sleep apnea or oversleeping problems
In some cases, early orthodontic treatment can also prevent the need for future dental surgeries. On top of that, Phase I treatment can ensure that the permanent teeth grow in a proper way and direction without getting stuck in the bone or impacting the roots of the neighboring teeth.
Options for Early Orthodontic Treatment
Kids Braces
Braces are a traditional option for early orthodontic treatment. They usually consist of metal wires and rubber bands. Braces constantly apply pressure on the teeth, shifting them into a desired position and treating overbites or underbites.
Invisalign First
The benefit of Invialign is that it is less noticeable in the mouth compared to traditional braces. This option can be useful in cases when a child feels self-conscious about wearing braces. On top of that, the fact that Invisalign can be removed when eating means that there will be no diet restriction, and it will be easier for your child to brush their teeth.
Expanders
Expanders are used when there is a need to widen the jaw or expand the arches. This helps prevent teeth extractions in future orthodontics treatments, opens up airways, and improves breathing.
Airway Orthodontics
With the help of 3d imaging scan, we can determine if there are issues such as reduced or small airways. The treatment helps to expand the airways, making the child overall healthier for years to come.
Schedule an Appointment Today
The treatment is most effective when done at a proper time. Make an appointment at our office to consult our kids braces professional. During the consultations, the specialist will carefully evaluate your child’s case to determine if the treatment is suitable for them. We will make sure that your child’s smile is healthy.