We are accepting new patients!! Here is what to expect at your first visit.

How Old Do You Have To Be To Get Braces?

The first decade of our child’s life is a time of many essential changes. Among them is the growth and development of their oral cavity, including their jaws, teeth, and other tissues. Receiving the proper dental care during this period can prevent future oral health issues and the related expenses of handling them. One type of dental care often overlooked in younger patients is orthodontic care. This is usually due to parents not knowing when to seek their first orthodontic exam and the benefits of starting early. Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry is here to help you learn more about your child’s oral health and when it’s time to take action.

When Should My Child Get Braces?

While not everyone will require braces during their life, those who do benefit significantly from getting started early. Your child’s adult teeth will begin to arrive around age 9. However, it’s possible to tell if orthodontic care will be needed before this time. By age 7, we can identify developing issues and determine what treatments can mitigate or eliminate them. Orthodontic care can address several oral health concerns, preventing them from becoming more severe as your child’s adult teeth come in. It all starts with having them receive an orthodontic assessment as early as age 7. During this visit, we can begin planning any treatments that may be necessary when your child’s adult teeth begin to arrive. Concerns that will be approached as part of this consultation will include:

  • Overcrowding – This condition occurs when there are more teeth than your child’s jaw has room for. In some cases, this may call for an extraction to make room for all of their teeth. This will be followed by treatment with braces to help properly align the remaining teeth.
  • Jaw Misalignment – Your child may have difficulty chewing or speaking properly when the jaw is out of alignment. It can also cause crossbite, underbite, or overbite. The severity of the misalignment will vary from case to case, but can all result in jaw pain later in life.
  • Personal Habits – If your child is still sucking their thumb, this can impact the development of their teeth, especially the upper front teeth. Mouth breathing can similarly cause oral health issues. Methods of addressing these concerns will be discussed if they are identified as a source of potential oral health concerns.

Using the information we gather, we’ll determine if your child will need orthodontic care and the potential length of treatment. Children who require orthodontic care must receive it as soon as possible. It can prevent long-term concerns from developing or reduce the cost of addressing them when your child is older.

Discover The Benefits Of Early Orthodontic Care

Smiling Kids Pediatric Dentistry is here for you and your family in Indianapolis, IN. We’re dedicated to ensuring that your child has lasting oral health by building a foundation of proper care during their developmental years. You can contact our team to schedule your next appointment at (317) 580-9199. Call today and get the jump on your child’s oral health with full-scale pediatric dental care with our team!