Braces can correct misalignment issues that affect how children chew, speak, and even look. While there’s no minimum age to wear them, orthodontists follow general guidelines to determine whether a child could use them. If you’re wondering whether your little one is ready for braces, here are a few factors to consider.

Your Guide to Childhood Braces

How Do I Know If My Child Needs Them?

Orthodontists use braces to fix alignment issues that can happen when adult teeth erupt out of place. This can lead to crowding, gaps, crooked smiles, bite issues, and more. When left untreated, these can impact how your child speaks, eats, and damage their self-confidence. If you notice a misaligned bite, crooked teeth, or a change in your child’s eating and speaking habits when their adult teeth emerge, schedule an appointment with an orthodontist to check whether they need braces.

When Is the Best Time to Get Them?

Since baby teeth eventually fall out, braces deliver effective results when all permanent teeth have grown in. This happens around the age of 12.

However, if your child has trauma-related alignment issues or required treatments such as a palate expander, they could start using braces earlier to fix problems as soon as possible. In a two-phase treatment regimen, which can begin as early as age 7, an orthodontist will use temporary braces to correct bite alignment issues and to guide erupting adult teeth into place. The second phase will focus on perfecting the alignment of those permanent teeth, usually after all of them have grown in.

What Are My Options?

Your child’s orthodontist can use a variety of treatment options. These include temporary anchorage devices (TADs) to move teeth, rubber bands to move the teeth and jaw to correct overbites, and headgear to provide extra force in jaw alignment. Invisalign® and removable braces are often reserved for late-teen and adult patients who can better care for them.

If you think your child might need braces, visit orthodontist Robert A Klement, DDS in the Wisconsin Rapids, WI, area. Dr. Klement has served the community for over 30 years and is committed to creating a comfortable, friendly environment. He treats patients of every age and is proud to build long-term relationships with his customers. From orthodontic care to teeth cleanings and cosmetic dentistry, you’ll find everything you need for a healthy smile. Visit his website to learn more about his practice or call (715) 421-3030 to schedule an exam.