Many parents ask when to get braces for their child. Timing is critical to the success of any treatment you pursue for your child’s smile. If you are thinking about dental braces in Airdrie, what developmental milestones should you keep in mind? Regardless of circumstance, braces can positively impact tooth alignment in addition to oral function, speech, and overall confidence.
Signs Your Child Might Need Braces
A few young children will exhibit early signs that may suggest an orthodontic consultation. These signs may include:
- Crowded, crooked, or overlapping teeth
- Difficulty biting and chewing
- Early loss or late loss of baby teeth
- Jaw misalignment or a bite that doesn’t match in the back or front
- Speech issues resulting from the arrangement
If children are evaluated early, an orthodontist may intervene sooner and reduce the complexity of treatment as children grow.
Braces Age Recommendation
According to the experts, the recommended age to bring your child for the first orthodontic evaluation is approximately 7 years of age. At this age, the dentist can start monitoring the child’s development and pinpoint areas of potential concern. While many children will require braces, not all children will require treatment at this age. An early orthodontic assessment will benefit the child in identifying treatment options that may be more effective at an appropriate later age.
The age at which dental braces for children will most frequently be applied will fall between 9 to 14 years of age, but this may vary based on the child. During this time, teeth and jaws are still developing, making it easier to create a more effective orthodontic treatment.
Types of Braces and Considerations
If you feel your child is ready for braces or further evaluation, ask the dentist about the diet for braces, malocclusions, teeth positions, and even spacing out engagements between appointments. Braces come in many varieties and designs. Your choice is determined by your child’s dental needs, lifestyle, and desires.
- Traditional metal braces– Made of strong interlocking metal pieces, recommended for more complicated cases.
- Ceramic braces– Clear tooth-colored braces, much less visible than metal, but same effective results.
- Lingual braces– Placed behind the teeth for a discreet option.
- Clear aligners– Removable and almost invisible, sometimes best for older children and teens.
Your orthodontist uses the evaluation to make the choice, providing treatments for your child’s concerns and desired outcome.
Benefits of Timely Orthodontic Treatment
Bringing your child to get braces at the right age will offer many benefits:
- Decreases the risk of jeopardizing the alignment of permanent teeth
- Improves oral hygiene and the ability to clean teeth
- Promotes better jaw function and occlusion/bite
- Enhanced self-esteem and confidence of a straighter and kinder smile
- Additionally reduces the complexity of issues in adult teeth
With timely treatment, your child may be in a shorter treatment time and often able to be more relaxed and have less anxiety.
Monitoring Progress and Follow-Up
It is important to have regular dental appointments while children are in active orthodontic treatment. The dentist will check for growth, make adjustments to the braces, and make sure teeth are moving according to the plan. After braces are removed, most children will wear retainers to help keep everything in line and to prevent everything from moving back to its original position.
Orthodontic care can start at the primary teeth stage, but most children begin treatment while they are in a mixed dentition stage, when they have some baby teeth and some permanent teeth. If you are looking for a trusted dentist near you, they will be able to give your child an evaluation to determine what is best for your child and what is the best timing for braces.
The Right Timing for a Confident Smile
Timing is an important factor in creating a healthy, straight smile for your child. Early assessment and properly timed treatment will create the most successful orthodontic experience with the least discomfort.
Be sure to contact Kings Pointe Dental today to schedule an appointment, and we will be happy to help guide your child toward a confident, healthy smile.
