A Guide to Braces: Who Needs Braces and When to Get Them?

October 26, 2022

If you or your children have misaligned teeth, braces may be your best option. There is not only one right time to get braces, but this guide can help you decide what the right approach is for you and your family.

While braces are generally seen as a way to correct crooked teeth, there are other more significant issues that can be corrected through getting them.

Children

It can be harder to know if a child needs braces because crooked baby teeth do not always indicate that adult teeth will also be crooked. Some symptoms that you should look into when considering child braces are:

• Mouth breathing
• Jaw clicking
• Difficulty chewing
• Taling with a lisp

Early treatment can help improve treatment outcomes and sometimes correct issues before they are even present. Having some baby teeth left and a growing jaw helps contribute to more effective treatments.

Most children who wear braces start between 9 and 14 years old when they start to get their permanent teeth, but most professionals recommend that all children visit an orthodontist by age 7.

Parents will need to make sure their children are practicing good teeth hygiene while they have braces to ensure the best results.

Teens

Some orthodontists prefer to start braces on teens after they have lost all of their baby teeth. While there are some issues that are better resolved when there are still baby teeth, most problems are seen more easily once permanent teeth have grown in. A teen's jaw is also still growing, which can help make it easier to set their jaw correctly.

Teens who show signs of overcrowded teeth, a lisp, or find their jaw to be tight and in pain can indicate a need for braces.

Adults

You are never too old to get braces, and adult braces are becoming more popular and common. Whether or not you should get braces as an adult can depend a lot on your age and overall dental health, but most adults who go through the process of having braces find it to be highly effective. There can be some issues due to having a more set jaw and grown features.

These are symptoms that may indicate a need for braces:
• Difficulty speaking or pronouncing certain words
• Visibly overcrowded teeth
• Difficulty flossing and brushing teeth
• Jaw problems such as clicking or stress on your jawline

There is no way for your teeth to correct themselves once you are in adulthood, so if you are considering braces, it is best to start as soon as possible to get yourself to your smile goals.

Before you go

Braces can be an excellent option for anyone who wants straight teeth. There are pros and cons to getting them at any age, but braces are a great way to correct oral health issues. If you are considering braces and wondering if it is right for you or your child, you should seek a consultation from a dentist and an orthodontist. 

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