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When to Get Braces for Kids? A question that arises in the mind of most parents. Exemplary age is between age 9 and 13.
Untreated dental caries are estimated to occur in almost 17% of children aged 5 to 19 years. Then around 32% of adults between ages 20 to 44 have untreated dental caries.
This includes neglecting braces beyond not going to an orthodontist or dentist.
The untreated dental care can create a myriad of diseases in mouth, which is why this matter concerns children and adults. That is why it is also important to think about the appropriate age for kids to get braces and what assessment shows children need braces.
But the latest and greatest money saver question lies in: What is the right age for putting on braces? To the parent, the answer to this question can be useful when it comes to what to watch out for in connection with his or her child’s dental care and the period of time for when the permanent teeth are erupting.
In this blog we will find out that:
- What is the right age for kids to get braces?
- What are the signs that my kid needs braces?
- What is the possibilty or something bad happening if my kid don’t get braces?
What is the right age for kids to get braces?
When to put braces on children? This is one question a lot of parents ask themselves while raising their children. The perfect age for braces varies from case to case, but most orthodontists recommend that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around the age of 7.
Why at this age? Around this age, a child usually has a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth; therefore, it becomes easier for orthodontists to determine whether the jaw is growing properly, the bite is correctly aligned, or there is sufficient space for the teeth. This early intervention has the potential to prevent more extensive treatments later on.
This does not mean every child is recommended for braces right after evaluation; a lot of kids typically start treatment from 9 to 14 years of age, an age range after which most of the child’s permanent teeth have come in. This is usually the preferred time, as the jaw is still growing, allowing for easier guidance of teeth into position.
Each child is different, and the decision for braces should be made on the basis of individual needs regarding the treatment rather than age alone. Signs that your child may need braces include overlapping or crowded teeth, frequent thumb-sucking, difficulty in chewing, or shifting or clicking jaw sounds.
In the end, the orthodontist is the best person to evaluate your child in order to come up with an individualized treatment plan. They will be able to give you a head start because when a child truly needs braces, we will want to be sure we know when is the best time for him or her to have them.
If you are not sure whether your child should be seen by an orthodontist or not, you can at least put your mind at ease by scheduling a consultation. Certainly, a smile that can be healthy with full confidence is worth an investment at any age.
What are the signs that my kid needs braces?
Some of the common symptoms that might tell if your kid needs braces or not.
- Teeth Crowding or Overlapping — Crowding occurs when teeth are born crookedly or overlap with one another due to a lack of space inside the mouth. This poses a major threat to cleanliness and increases the probability of cavities.
- Bite Problems — Biting problems such as overbites, underbites, and crossbites might cause chewing difficulties, jaw pain, or, in some extreme cases, uneven facial symmetry.
- Early/Late Loss of Baby Teeth — Baby teeth lost too early or too late often lead to complications of alignment with permanent teeth, which will then pose spacing and/or crowding issues.
- Mouth Breathing or Speech Problems — Patterns of prolonged mouth breathing or difficult speech are other signs of jaw alignment problems which might be correctable with braces.
- Thumb-Sucking and Pacifier Use — Prolonged detrimental habits can push teeth forward and inhibit the growth of the jaw, resulting in an orthodontic correction of the bite.
If you see any one of these signs, an consultation with a dentist for kids will tell you if or when treatment is needed.
What can happen if my kid don't get braces?
If your child require braces and not get them, you can expect these long-term effects:
- Tooth Decay and Gum Disease: Poorly aligned, overlapping teeth have more pockets in between for food and bacteria to accumulate; thus, the teeth become slightly challenging to clean, resulting in increased chances of developing cavities and gum problems.
- Bite Problems and Jaw Pain: An alignment mismatch in the bite can be caused with a deep overbite, a significantly under-occluded file, and even crossbite. These kinds of bite irregularities could result in the endangered jaw pains and chewing styles in eating and, to the worst cases, teeth become intensely abraded.
- Speech Disorders: Malocclusion can be attributed to poor teeth or jaw alignment, which can contribute to issues in speech development, pronouncing words, or clarity.
- Digestive Complaints: Chewing problems will eventually affect the whole digestive process since food might not be appropriately crushed well enough into smaller portions before it is consumed.
- Reduced Self-Confidence: Teeth that are crooked or have a noticeable bite issue may make a child feel low self-esteem, which may have its consequences in many ways, like being self-conscious when there is a social interaction.
- Increased Injury Risk: Protruding teeth are more vulnerable to damage from accidents like falling, sports accidents, and other accidents.
These problems could be alleviated with early intervention of dental treatment, thus providing better health benefits and better oral health.
