This is a great question that many parents ask! After all, you see people of all ages wearing traditional or clear braces and it can make you wonder if age actually matters. And, in fact, it does.
Getting braces as an adult is better than nothing if you need it. However, early orthodontic treatment is best for a multitude of reasons.
What Is the Best Age to Start Orthodontics?
The best age to receive your first orthodontic consultation is typically around age seven. It’s important for an orthodontist to evaluate all children initially by this age, whether they end up needing treatment or not.
This is the time in a child’s life when their adult teeth start to come out to replace the primary (baby) teeth. And, it is around this time when the vast majority of orthodontic issues can be identified.
In addition to an intraoral evaluation of the child’s dentition, the orthodontist can order imaging, including 3D imaging, to see:
- How the upper (maxilla) and lower (mandible) jaws are forming
- If the teeth are erupting in a good position or proper alignment
- If there are any impacted teeth (common with first molars)
- If there is an ectopic canine (usually an upper eye tooth that is growing horizontally in the upper jaw).
Not every seven-year-old will need early orthodontic treatment. After the evaluation, the orthodontist may tell you that there are no issues to worry about or that there are minor ones that the doctor can monitor. However, it’s always good to get that early look in order to know what the future holds for your child’s orthodontic needs!
Why Orthodontists Recommend Early Orthodontic Evaluation
The reason age seven is the best age to receive an initial orthodontic evaluation is that it’s the easiest time to identify problems. The teeth are just beginning to erupt, so braces can be utilized, if needed, to make minor adjustments to guide the teeth into proper alignment.
It’s easier to fix these problems in children than it is in adults because a child’s jawbones are still developing. An adult’s jaw bones are dense, which means it takes longer to realign the teeth and address any jaw issues. The upper palate can only be expanded until about the age of 9, at which point the sutures fuse. It is much more difficult to widen the arch in adult patients.
Achieving proper alignment is easier and less costly if you invest in early orthodontic treatment. Children can take between six months and two years to complete treatment, while adults can take anywhere from 10 months to two years. (Thankfully, with the latest technology, this time frame can be reduced significantly.)
Besides saving time and money, starting orthodontic treatment early can save your child a lot of pain. Misaligned teeth, as well as a misaligned bite, can result in TMJ disorder. This condition can lead to:
- Facial pain
- Jaw swelling
- Chronic headaches
- Difficulty chewing
- Sleep breathing/airway disorders
- Chipped, cracked, or fractured teeth.
With early treatment, you can reduce your child’s risk of developing this disorder.
Help Your Child Protect Their Teeth While in Braces
It’s easy to see why the best age for orthodontic evaluation, and treatment if necessary, is as early as seven years of age.
- Treatment is easier
- The cost may be less
- It can take less time
- It can reduce your child’s risk of TMJ disorder
- It can reduce your child’s risk of broken or cracked teeth.
Investing in early orthodontic treatment is not the only investment you’ll need to make while your child is in braces. You and your child will need to make an investment in time for daily dental homecare and regular orthodontic visits.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always happen. Whether a child is in traditional braces or Invisalign braces, the risk for developing decay and gingivitis often increases.
However, this doesn’t have to happen to your child. By eating orthodontist-approved foods and adhering to good oral hygiene, your child can end up with a beautiful, decay-free smile.
Giving Your Child the Gift of a Beautiful, Healthy Smile
The goal of orthodontic treatment goes way beyond achieving straight teeth. While aesthetics is one of the reasons people choose orthodontia, the main reason it’s important is that it impacts your dental and overall health.
It’s easier to care for straighter teeth, and better home care means fewer dental issues, like decay and gum disease. Additionally, when teeth are in proper alignment, it’s easier to chew, which can translate to better digestion and nutrient absorption.
Early orthodontic treatment will give your kids the chance of a healthier life. They’ll also enjoy having a beautiful, healthy, straight smile as well. And that’s a win for you both!
