Everyone deserves a smile they feel proud to show off, and the best way to achieve one is through orthodontic treatment. But for parents, the specifics of orthodontic treatment aren’t always clear, and one of the most common questions we’ve heard from parents about orthodontic treatment is: “When should my child get braces?” As your dedicated Florissant and O’Fallon orthodontists, we at White Orthodontics wanted to shed some light on the best age for children to get braces and when your child should visit us for an orthodontic evaluation.
When should my child get braces?
Most kids need braces at one point or another to achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. But when is the ideal time for braces? The truth is, there’s no one right answer to this question. The ideal time for braces depends on your child’s development and the specifics of their orthodontic condition. While the most common age for braces is during the teenage years, many patients need early orthodontic treatment, which means they first get braces between the ages of 7 and 10. The only way to know what age your child should get braces is to bring them in for an orthodontic evaluation. And when should that be? Thankfully, this question is much easier to answer.
When should I first bring my child to the orthodontist?
In keeping with the American Association of Orthodontists, we recommend bringing your child in for an initial evaluation at age 7. At this age, the back bite has established itself, which lets us fully evaluate your child’s orthodontic condition and spot both current and future problems. Keep in mind that we may not start treatment at this age: more than likely, we’ll simply monitor your child’s development for the best time to start. However, in some cases, we’ll recommend starting treatment this early to fix underlying problems in the bite, allowing us to achieve a much healthier smile in the long term.
Schedule a consultation with your O’Fallon & Florissant orthodontist!
Every child is unique, and that extends to orthodontic treatment: the only way to find out when your child should get braces is to have them evaluated by our board-certified Florissant & O’Fallon orthodontists. If your child is approaching age 7 or you think they’d benefit from an orthodontic evaluation, we’d love to help. Contact us to learn more or simply request an appointment online to get started. We can’t wait to hear from you, and we look forward to helping your child achieve a better smile no matter what age they are!