At What Age Can You Get Braces?

Figuring out the right time to get braces is something a lot of people think about when they’re looking into orthodontic treatments. Many parents wonder when their child should start orthodontic treatment, and adults often wonder if it’s too late for them to get braces. In this blog post, we’ll break down the best ages for braces, what factors determine the right time, and why it’s never too early—or too late—to achieve a confident, healthy smile!

What Is Orthodontic Treatment?

Orthodontic treatment is all about straightening and aligning your teeth to improve their function, appearance, and overall health. It helps straighten crooked teeth, addresses bite issues, and creates a well-balanced smile. 

Braces, which are the most common type of orthodontic treatment, consist of bands, wires, and other fixed or removable corrective appliances that gently apply pressure to the teeth. This pressure gradually moves the teeth into the right position over time. This process may take several months to a few years, depending on your specific needs. While most people associate braces with teenagers, kids, teens, and even adults can benefit from orthodontic care.

The goal of orthodontic treatment isn’t just about making your smile look good—it’s also about improving how they fit together so you can chew, talk, and clean your teeth more easily. Properly aligned teeth are easier to clean, which helps prevent cavities and gum disease.

Orthodontic treatment isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution; it’s highly personalized. We create a treatment plan tailored specifically to your unique needs and goals. This plan takes into account a few things, like the current position of your teeth, how healthy your gums and supporting bones are, and what you’re hoping to achieve.

The Best Time to Visit an Orthodontist

Getting an early check-up by an orthodontist is super important for making sure your child’s oral health and development are heading in the right direction. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that kids should get their first orthodontic check-up done as soon as an issue is noticed or by the time they turn seven. It may seem a bit early, but at this age, we can spot issues with jaw growth or emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. Identifying issues early means we can step in at the right time, making future treatments easier or even skipping them entirely.

While most kids won’t need treatment right away, an early evaluation helps us create a plan for the future. Some kids may benefit from Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, which guides jaw growth and prevents bigger problems down the road. During your visit, we can also address bad habits like prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use.

This doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance if you’re older—teens and adults can benefit from orthodontic care, too! 

Children and Braces: The Ideal Age

The right age for kids to get braces really depends on their unique needs and where they are in their development. There’s really no specific age limit for kids to get braces. Most kids usually get braces when they’re between nine and 14 years old. At this age, kids usually have a combination of baby teeth and adult teeth, which is a great time to tackle any orthodontic problems.

This stage is ideal for orthodontic treatment because a child’s jaw is still growing. This can make some corrections easier and less invasive compared to what adults might need. Treatment during these years can guide the growth of jawbones and the arrival of permanent teeth.

Here are a few things parents should take into consideration:

• Timing Really Matters: When it comes to starting treatment, the timing can vary for each child. We can help you figure out the best timing after taking a good look at your child’s teeth, jaw, and facial structure with a thorough orthodontic evaluation.
• Customized Treatment Plans: Customized treatment plans are important because every child’s orthodontic needs are different. We create treatment plans that fit their unique needs, whether it’s traditional metal braces, clear braces, or other orthodontic appliances.
• Patience and Support: Getting through orthodontic treatment takes some patience and support along the way. Having family support and encouragement really makes a big difference in how a child experiences and sticks to treatment guidelines.

Starting orthodontic treatment at the right age can help your child gain lasting benefits for their dental health and overall well-being. An early visit to our office can help you understand your child’s oral development and allow us to catch any issues early.

Adult Braces: It’s Never Too Late!

Braces aren’t just for teenagers anymore. These days, a lot of adults are choosing to go for orthodontic treatment, and honestly, who can blame them? It’s never too late to improve your smile. No matter if you’re in your twenties, forties, or even older, adult braces can help fix problems that may have been overlooked or untreated when you were younger or even fine-tune past treatments that have changed over the years.

These days, modern orthodontics offers some pretty cool discreet options for adults, like clear ceramic braces and invisible aligners like Invisalign. These options let you get treatment without worrying about the look of traditional metal braces. While adult teeth may take slightly longer to adjust compared to kids’, the key to effective treatment is still the same—just be consistent and take good care of them. Following our advice and maintaining good dental care is also super important.

Deciding to get braces as an adult is a great choice that can really boost your smile and help your dental health, too. Thanks to the latest in orthodontic technology and aesthetic options, now’s a fantastic time to check out how braces can transform your smile and life.

What Factors Determine the Timing of Braces

There are a bunch of variables that can affect the right time to get braces, whether you’re a kid, a teen, or an adult. Understanding these factors can help make sure you or your loved ones receive the most effective and efficient treatment possible. Here’s what you need to consider: 

• Dental Development: One of the main things to consider is the stage of dental development. It’s usually best for kids to wait until they’ve got most of their permanent teeth, which usually happens between ages nine and 14. This helps us tackle alignment and spacing issues more effectively.
• Jaw Growth: The growth of the jaw is really important, too. Early intervention can help us identify potential problems with jaw growth in children. When it comes to adults, there are various treatment options available since their jaws are done growing.
• Orthodontic Problems: Certain dental issues may require you to get treatment sooner or even later than expected. For instance, if there’s severe overcrowding or issues like underbites or overbites, it may be a good idea to come in early. On the other hand, if you have a minor dental misalignment, we will have to wait till most of the growth has occurred.
• Oral Health: Having good oral health is super important to kick off your orthodontic treatment. Things like cavities, tooth decay, gum disease, or needing tooth extractions may affect when you can get braces. Taking care of these issues ahead of time can help make the orthodontic process go more smoothly.

• Lifestyle and Commitment: Getting braces comes down to how ready you feel and what your lifestyle is like. Getting orthodontic treatment means you’ll need to stay on top of maintenance and care. This includes visiting your orthodontist regularly, keeping your teeth clean, and sometimes making some changes to your diet. Making sure you or your child are prepared for this commitment can really affect when treatment starts.
• Emotional Readiness: It’s really important for kids and teens to feel emotionally ready and confident when it comes to starting and finishing orthodontic treatment. Being mentally prepared can help everyone work together during the process, which makes treatment more effective.

Every smile is different, and the best way to determine the right age for braces is to visit us for an evaluation. We will assess tooth alignment, jaw development, and overall oral health to recommend the best time for treatment. 

Types of Braces and Orthodontic Solutions

Braces have really evolved over the years! Nowadays, there are plenty of choices to match various needs, preferences, and lifestyles. If you’re on the hunt for a traditional, clear, or removable option, orthodontic technology has got you covered with plenty of ways to straighten your teeth and enhance your bite. 

Here’s a look at the most common options available:

• Traditional Metal Braces: These are the most common and effective type of braces. Metal brackets and wires work together to gradually move teeth into alignment. Modern metal braces are smaller, more comfortable, and more efficient than ever before. Plus, kids and teens can customize them with colorful bands for a fun touch!
• Clear or Ceramic Braces: For those who want a less noticeable option, clear or ceramic braces work just like metal braces, but use tooth-colored or clear brackets that blend in with your teeth. They’re a great choice for teens and adults who want a more discreet look while still getting the effectiveness of traditional braces.
• Invisalign (Clear Aligners): Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable aligner trays to straighten teeth gradually. These aligners are nearly invisible, making them a popular choice for adults and teens who want a subtle, convenient orthodontic option. Since they’re removable, you can eat, brush, and floss normally—just be sure to wear them 20-22 hours a day for the best results!
• Lingual Braces: Lingual braces work like traditional braces but are placed on the back of the teeth, making them completely invisible from the front. They are a great option for those who want a hidden orthodontic solution, but they may take a little longer to get used to compared to other types of braces.
• Self-Ligating Braces: These braces look similar to traditional braces but use special clips instead of elastic bands to hold the wire in place. This reduces friction, making adjustments quicker and more comfortable while potentially shortening treatment time.
• Accelerated Orthodontics: For those looking to speed up treatment, we offer advanced solutions like Accelerated Smiles, which help teeth move into place 50-75% faster by stimulating bone movement naturally. This can be used alongside braces or Invisalign to shorten treatment time significantly.

No matter which option you choose, modern orthodontic treatments are designed to be comfortable, efficient, and tailored to fit your smile!

At Kelson Orthodontics, we offer a variety of braces and orthodontic solutions to help you achieve a healthy, confident smile. Whether you’re considering traditional braces, clear aligners, or accelerated treatment options, our team will guide you every step of the way. Schedule a consultation today, and let’s find the perfect orthodontic solution for you!