When Should Children Get Braces?

February 5, 2020 0
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Your baby is growing up, and her teeth are, too. But is she really ready for braces? Fixing improper bites and crooked teeth can provide insight on your child’s growth patterns and how they may affect his or her teeth down the road.

Typically, children who need braces receive them when:

  • They have lost all of their primary teeth
  • Their 12-year molars have at least partially erupted

Some exceptions that could lead the dentist to suggest an early start include: an excessive overbite (upper jaw is larger than the lower jaw), severe crowding, or impacted canine teeth. Similarly, if your child is experiencing social difficulties because of her teeth, or if the dentist sees problems that could prevent normal development (such as a crossbite with a shift or overcrowding due to arch constriction), he may want to begin the correction process before your child has lost all her baby teeth or before her 12-year molars have erupted.

On the other hand, there are also occasions when the dentist may suggest a later start. Children with underbites (wherein the lower jaw is bigger than the upper jaw), for example, tend to continue growing beyond the point at which children with normal bites and overbites stop growing. If your child has an underbite or another similar growth pattern, the orthodontist may want wait to begin treatment until the growth has slowed down. Otherwise, your child may run the risk of outgrowing her correction.

No need to worry

If you’re concerned about your child’s teeth, talk to your dentist. If you’ve been visiting regularly, your dentist should be able to talk to you about your child’s growth and whether your concerns are warranted. If you don’t feel comfortable talking to your dentist, you may want to consider finding a new dentist that you are more comfortable with.
At Sedation and Implant Dentistry of Tehachapi, we understand the worries that come along with having children, and we know how important it is to have dentists and doctors that keep you informed. We invite and encourage questions from our patients – and the parents of our patients. Visit Sedation and Implant Dentistry of Tehachapi and Jose David Sanchez D.D.S. at 20370 W. Valley Blvd., Tehachapi, CA 93561. Give us a call at (661) 822-3727.


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