When is the Best Age for Kids to Get Orthodontic Treatment?

When it comes to orthodontic treatment, there is no one-size-fits-all answer.

However, a general rule of thumb is that your children should consider wearing braces between the ages of 9 and 14, usually before they reach puberty.

This is because the ideal time for placing braces is when the child's head and mouth are still growing, making the high school years (11 to 14 years) the best age for wearing braces. In addition to braces, some children may need headgear, mouth guards, or other orthodontic devices. Most patients can expect to wear braces for at least 12 months, with an average of between 18 and 30 months.

During an orthodontic consultation, the orthodontist will provide an interval of time in which orthodontic appliances can be expected to achieve the desired results. Parents may not always be aware that their child needs braces, so orthodontic evaluation is an important part of children's dental care. The best way to do this is to take your child to the orthodontist as soon as possible. Even if their teeth appear straight, it is important that an expert evaluates your child's mouth.

Some patients may need to wear a retainer after wearing braces for a longer period of time, as suggested by the orthodontist. Just because things look good doesn't mean that there aren't other functional problems for the orthodontist to fix. Some orthodontists recommend a two-phase approach, in which some orthodontic treatment is performed while the child still has their baby teeth, using dental appliances. For parents who are considering wearing braces for their children or for themselves, The Super Dentists will be happy to answer any questions about braces to help them make informed decisions about orthodontic treatment. The American Academy of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that children visit an orthodontist for the first time no later than 7 years old. The Super Dentists is San Diego's largest and most trusted pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and dentistry office for parents, with six centers to serve your family.