About 4.5 million people in the United States end up where braces on their teeth at some point. Most of the time this is when they are children or young teenagers. Getting braces is a fairly common thing in the U.S., but what exactly is the best age for braces?
Is it better to have them as young as possible? Should you wait till you are in your teens or early twenties? Today we’re going to talk about just that. Let’s discuss everything you need to know about getting braces for your teeth and answer the question of what is the best age for braces. Let’s get started.
Understanding Your Teeth When Your Younger
Before we talk about the best age for braces, let’s first understand a bit more about your teeth. Let’s first talk about when your permanent teeth start growing in, how long it takes for baby teeth to change over into adult teeth, and understand that not everyone is the same.
Permanent Teeth
Most people’s permanent teeth start growing in around the age of 6. However, this is not always the case and some people’s teeth may start growing in as early as 4 or 5 years old or as late as 8 or 9 years old. It all depends on the person. For the most part, though, 6 years old is when permanent teeth start growing in.
The Transition from Baby to Adult Teeth
It usually takes around 5-6 years for the transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth to be complete. On average, children will have their full set of adult teeth by 12 or 13 years old.
However, some kids may take longer than 5 or 6 years to transition between baby teeth and permanent teeth, depending on the individual child’s genes and dental care habits.
Age Vs. Teeth Development
Now that we’ve talked about when teeth start growing and the transition from baby to adult teeth, let’s talk about how age factors into this. As we mentioned earlier, not everyone is the same and some people develop their teeth quickly while others grow them slowly.
While it may seem odd, it’s not unusual to see a 9-year-old child with a full set of adult teeth and a 15-year-old with several baby teeth. In many cases, delayed dental development happens for no reason at all and is nothing to worry about so long as the permanent teeth eventually do come in.
So, what does that mean? It means that age isn’t necessarily always the best or most accurate indicator of whether or not you are ready for braces.
The Best Age for Braces
Although age is not always the best indicator that you need braces, typically you’ll want to see your orthodontist for the first time by the age of 7 in order to determine if braces are necessary.
If your permanent teeth have not grown in yet, your orthodontist may recommend that you wait a bit longer before getting braces for kids. However, if your adult teeth are already starting to come in and you have misaligned teeth or crooked teeth, it might be time to get braces.
So ultimately, the best age for braces is typically the age of 7, however, there are many different factors to consider and everyone’s dental development is different. Another great indicator or “age” is right before your child loses his/her last set of baby molars
No matter what, it’s important to consult with an orthodontist so that he or she can properly assess your teeth and make a recommendation about whether or not braces are necessary.
Should You See a Family Dentist or Local Orthodontist
The best way to ensure that you’re getting the best possible care for your teeth is to consult with a specialist, an orthodontist.
Orthodontists are dentists who have specialized in orthodontics, which is the diagnosis and treatment of problems with teeth alignment. This is a 3-year specialty training program that ensures they are experts in the field.
Our orthodontic evaluations are also usually complimentary and you can always consult with your child’s family dentist first to ensure that they’re on the same page regarding their findings and recommendations.
If you have any questions about what is the best age for braces or if you think your child might need braces, speak with your family dentists first and then work with this local orthodontist.
It’s Never Too Late for Braces
Even if you’re an adult, it’s never too late to get braces! There are many different types of braces that are available for adults, including clear braces and Invisalign. Invisalign is a popular choice for adults because it is less visible than traditional metal braces and it can be removed for eating and drinking.
If you’re considering braces as an adult, the best thing to do is consult with an orthodontist to see what your options are. They will be able to assess your teeth and give you a recommendation about the best type of braces for your individual needs.
Starting Treatment At the Right Time
When it comes to orthodontic treatment, timing does make a difference. If you start treatment at the right time, you can experience a shorter treatment duration with better results. However, if you start treatment too late, you may experience a longer treatment duration.
That’s why it’s important to consult with an orthodontist easily on in order to determine if braces are necessary.
If your permanent teeth have not grown in yet, your orthodontist may recommend that you wait a bit longer before getting braces. However, if your adult teeth are already starting to come in and you have misaligned teeth or crooked teeth, it might be time to get braces.
Straighten Your Teeth
No matter what your age, if you are experiencing dental problems or have crooked teeth, braces might be the best solution for you. We’ve talked about the best age for braces, but it’s important to consult with an orthodontist to see what is best for your individual needs.
There are many different types of braces available, so don’t hesitate to ask your orthodontist about which option would be best for you.
If you enjoyed this article and are looking for more tips and guides for your dental health, be sure to check out the rest of our blog.
