When is a good age for my child to start braces?

This article answers some commonly asked questions that parents have about when their child should see a dentist or seek orthodontic treatment.

When is a good age for my child to see a dentist?

Age one.

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends that a child go to the dentist by age one or within six months after the first tooth erupts. At six months of age, the two lower front teeth begin to erupt. Around age one, your dentist can evaluate the condition of your child's teeth and give recommendations on daily oral hygiene and routine dental care.

When is a good age for my child to see an orthodontist?

Age seven.

The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that a child see an orthodontist by age seven. At that age, the orthodontist can evaluate your child's jaw and facial growth patterns, as well as tooth development and bite. Around age seven, your orthodontist can evaluate any dental malocclusion and give recommendations on the best time to start orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist can help you monitor the eruption of your child's permanent teeth and jaw development.

When is a good age for my child to start orthodontic treatment?

It depends.

Orthodontic treatment varies from child to child. Some children may not need any orthodontic treatment until age 11 or 12. These children may have good jaw and facial growth and only need orthodontic treatment to correct the teeth and occlusion. Other children may need early orthodontic treatment to change the jaw features.

Genetics may dictate a non-favorable jaw relationship, and these children may need interceptive treatment, such as jaw expansion. This jaw modification during growth creates space and reduces the chances of needing jaw surgery later on. Early orthodontic treatment, when required, is usually recommended around age 7 to 10.

A review on development of permanent teeth:

At age six, lower permanent incisors grow in. At age seven, the first back permanent molars grow in. Sequentially other teeth such as canines and premolars erupt in both the lower and upper jaws. When permanent teeth start to grow in, this is a good time to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist.

Why you shouldn't wait to seek orthodontic treatment:

Most parents wait until they think their child needs braces. Then they make an appointment. However, waiting is not a good solution. You can miss out on many available treatment options that are more effective while the jaw is still growing, or before all the permanent teeth are in place. For example, without adequate space, many permanent teeth may fail to come in. The longer you wait, the denser the bone quality and the more slowly teeth erupt.

Waiting can make the face look worse. Since genetic make-up already dictates how the face will grow, you should seek an orthodontic consultation at the first signs of possible problems. Waiting will not reverse growth patterns - they will need orthodontic intervention eventually, and the longer you wait the harder it will be. In addition, older children are less compliant to follow treatment regimens than younger children. Preteens and teens are less willing to wear headgear, expanders, a facemask or rubber bands. They may want braces off quickly before treatment is fully completed.

An early orthodontic evaluation will also allow you more flexibility, not just with treatment planning, but also with financial planning.

At Care Orthodontics, Dr. Nancy Phan provides complimentary consultations and follow-up visits. At these visits, she will check your child's bite and make specific recommendations on when and what needs to be done.

In the follow-up visits, she monitors teeth that are delayed in eruption and verifies any factors that contribute to a bad occlusion. Depending on the diagnosis, she will give you recommendations on whether to pursue orthodontics now or in the future.

Dr. Nancy Phan has been providing orthodontic treatment for children and adults in San Jose and the surrounding Bay areas for over ten years. Schedule a complimentary consultation for your child by calling our office at (408) 971-2885. Check out our website for other beneficial information and educational videos at www.CareOrthodontics.com.