When Can Children Get Braces?

As a parent, you may wonder about the correct age for braces. Children as young as seven years old may get braces, depending on the orthodontic challenge the child faces. 

Warning Signs of Orthodontic Problems

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child see an orthodontist at age seven while still having a mixture of baby and permanent teeth. This age allows potential problems to be discovered before they potentially become serious. 

However, regardless of age, consider bringing your child in to see us if you observe any of the following:

• Difficulty chewing or biting
• Grinding or clenching of teeth
• Mouth breathing
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Trouble speaking
• Facial imbalance
• Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
• Jaws that shift or make sounds

A visit to our office will allow us to screen your child for problems and suggest timely, effective solutions. For example, not every orthodontic problem requires braces, but they all likely require some type of treatment. Most of the time Dr. Chelian would like to monitor the growth of your child and re-evaluate in 6 or 12 months to ensure the jaws and teeth are developing appropriately. 

How To Tell If Your Child Needs Braces

If your child’s teeth are not aligned, it may impact more than their self-esteem. Misalignment may contribute to pain, difficulty chewing, and jaw problems. 

The University of Rochester Medical Center recommends taking your child to an orthodontist for evaluation for braces if you notice any of these problems:

• An overbite
• Missing teeth
• An underbite
• Incorrect or asymmetrical jaw position
• An open bite
• Misaligned, crooked, or crowded teeth
• Cracking or popping of the jaw joint

The best age for braces is typically somewhere between 10–14 years old. However, it is never too late to get braces!

Your Child’s First Visit

When you bring your child to our office, we will warmly welcome you and make sure you feel right at home!. Our team will walk you through the process while answering any questions you may have. 

On a typical first visit, we:

• Get you set up in our digital system
• Take professional photos of your child’s face and teeth
• Take digital X-rays
• Scan your child’s mouth with our iTero Element 2 technology to make a 3D model of their teeth and jaw
• Create a custom treatment plan to tackle your child’s orthodontic situation 
• Discuss the plan with you and your child

This visit—including the photos, x-rays, and scans—are free of charge. The cost of the treatment depends on what your child needs done. If you decide to proceed with treatment, our team will develop a custom financial plan designed to work for everyone involved! 

Contact Us

Now that you know the first visit is free, you have nothing to lose by bringing your child in for evaluation. While the best age for braces is indeed 10-14, we work with your child to treat them properly at whatever age they are. 

Contact Urban Orthodontics to schedule an appointment!

Giri Chelian

Dr. Chelian is an orthodontist in Union City New Jersey. After completing his orthodontic specialty residency at Roseman University, he practiced orthodontics in Nevada and Arizona before ultimately settling in New Jersey. Dr. Chelian is passionate about all things ortho!