When To Consider Getting Braces for Your Child

75% of kids could benefit from getting braces, whether this is to improve functional problems or to improve the aesthetics of their smile. Plus, getting braces as a child makes it much easier to shape the mouth and fix oral health problems.

However, getting braces is a big investment for families, so it is important that you understand whether children’s braces are necessary or not. 

To make sure you make the right choice for when to get braces, it is important that you do your research and find a reliable orthodontist! Keep reading this article to learn more about braces for children and when to consider getting braces for your child. 

Crooked or Overcrowded Teeth

One of the most common reasons why your children may need braces is that they have crooked or overcrowded teeth. While these oral issues can cause confidence issues and aesthetic problems with your child’s smile, they can also make it difficult for your child to chew properly or even talk normally. 

Most often, crooked, overlapped, or overcrowded teeth are due to genetics, especially if your child has large teeth or a small jaw. 

In these cases, your child’s teeth will not straighten on their own. They may need braces or a palate expander to make room for their teeth. Otherwise, you may need to get some of your child’s teeth extracted to allow the teeth to realign. 

Bad Bite

Another common sign that you need to get braces for children is if they have a bad bight. This is also known as malocclusion of the teeth, and it happens when your child’s top jaw and bottom jaws are of different sizes. 

Some common types of malocclusions include overbites, underbites, and crossbites. Some malocclusions can be fixed with braces, as they can help move the jaw forward, backward, and can even widen it.

With a malocclusion, your teeth might not be able to perform important functions, like chewing, which can be bad for your oral and digestive health. 

Jaw or Tooth Problems

Sometimes, your child might need braces if they are experiencing problems with their jaw or teeth. This can come from traumatic injuries and tooth loss, thumb sucking, and more.

In these cases, your orthodontists may be able to provide an interception approach. This means that they can use other dental treatments to help improve your child’s teeth and jaw without using braces. 

These different treatments can also be done at an earlier age, even if your child still has their baby teeth. Then, your dentist can use another phase of treatment, which will not take as much time when combined with the earlier treatment. 

Inherited Oral Health Problems

You can often know whether or not your child will need to get braces if you or your partner had braces growing up. This is because most oral health problems are genetic, so they can be inherited. If many people in your family have gotten braces, your children will most likely need them. 

In these cases, it is best to take them to the dentist or orthodontist while your child is still young. They will help evaluate whether your child needs braces or not, and they can also determine which treatment option would work best for your child. 

As Your Child Gets Older

Another common sign that your child needs to get braces is simply that they are getting older. While there isn’t a specific age when your child needs to go to the orthodontist, most dentists recommend visiting an orthodontist when they start losing their teeth and growing permanent teeth. 

This is typically around age seven and this is when oral health issues, like overcrowding or an uneven bite, are more noticeable. By visiting an orthodontist before your child gets much older, they might be able to find ways to address these problems without braces. 

Plus, taking your child to the orthodontist before they are too old will allow them to get a thorough oral examination to identify any potential issues. Even if there are no other signs that your child needs braces, you should take them to the orthodontist for a thorough exam. 

Trouble Chewing or Speaking

A serious problem that can come from a misaligned jaw or crooked teeth is that it can make it hard for your child to chew properly or speak normally. 

Because speech is so complicated and uses so many different parts of your mouth, children with bad bites have a hard time pronouncing some letters. This can even lead to more serious speech problems, like a slur or a lisp. 

Crooked teeth that do not meet together can also make it harder for your child to chew their food. If you notice any of these issues, it is a sign that your child should get braces. 

Based on Dentist Recommendation

Finally, you can know whether or not your child needs braces based on a recommendation from your dentist. Most children should visit the dentist by the time they are one year old or about six months after their first tooth came in. 

Because your dentist is familiar with your child and their oral health history, they might be able to spot early signs that your child needs to get braces. 

Often, adult teeth do not grow completely straight in your child’s mouth. Instead, they will grow in at an angle and straighten as your child grows. Because dentists are more familiar with this process, they can help you determine when it is necessary for your child to get braces. 

How much are braces? Meeting with your dentist can also help you get an accurate price estimate for your children’s braces. 

Should Your Child Be Getting Braces?

When you are looking into braces for kids, there are many reasons why your child could benefit from having braces. Not only will it improve the appearance and function of their teeth, but it may be necessary if they have trouble chewing or speaking. 

If this article was helpful for you and you want to learn more about taking care of your child’s oral health, we can help! Our blog features articles on parenting, technology, and more.

Check out our articles today to learn more about getting braces for your child!