Braces are a rite of passage for Americans. At any given time, there are approximately 4 million people in the US wearing braces. Regardless of their popularity, questions surrounding braces for children and adults are incredibly common.
One of the biggest questions people find themselves asking is about the best age for braces. Parents don’t want to miss this important oral health milestone, and adults with crooked teeth worry about having missed their opportunity. If this sounds like you, don’t panic!
Read on to learn all about when to get braces and much, much more!
Who Should Get Braces?
Everyone knows that braces straighten teeth. The most obvious answer to this question is anyone with crooked teeth, including both children and adults.
There are other reasons for braces, though. Braces correct alignment problems, which don’t always manifest in crooked teeth. If you or your child have issues with your bite or clicking and popping jaw sounds, braces might be in your future.
Benefits of Braces for Kids
The benefits of braces for kids aren’t all about aesthetics. There are actually functional reasons why braces are a critical part of your child’s oral health plan.
First, teeth that aren’t aligned often result in a decreased ability to properly chew food. You might find that your child is frequently biting their cheeks or tongue by accident, and their jaw may be sore. Getting your child to eat is already hard enough, don’t let dental issues deter them further.
Braces also help improve your child’s speech and reduce their risk of getting gum disease and cavities. On top of all of these things, braces give your child a big boost in self-confidence once they have a beautiful smile with straight teeth.
What’s the Best Age for Braces for Kids?
There’s no specific age at which your child must get braces, but that doesn’t mean you have to play it by ear. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that you start taking your child to the orthodontist at age 7 for evaluation. This is the time in which your child has most, if not all of their adult teeth.
Ultimately, most children that need braces get them between the ages of 14 and 18. Some need them a bit earlier, however. It’s not uncommon to see children between the ages of 7 and 10 with braces.
What to Expect From Your Child’s Visit
Orthodontists, like the professionals at Palmetto Kids Orthodontics, perform an oral exam to check for issues with your child’s jaw growth. A lot of issues with alignment happen before you even notice that your child has crooked teeth, but an orthodontist is specially trained to spot and monitor them.
Expect the orthodontist to take x-rays of your child’s teeth as part of their overall examination. They’ll ask you and your child if there are any issues in terms of biting and chewing, or with popping and clicking in the jaw. If the orthodontist thinks braces may be necessary, they’ll take a mold of your child’s teeth to determine which treatment to go with.
Benefits of Braces for Adults
A lot of people assume that braces are only for children, but nothing could be further from the truth. Thousands of adults get braces or some form of alignment treatment every year, even adults over the age of 50!
The benefits of braces for adults are limitless.
If you’ve been living with crooked teeth for a long time, the biggest thing you probably want to fix is the aesthetic aspect. Adult braces also correct jaw pain and bite misalignment. They can even reduce the pressure on your teeth by spacing them properly and reduce the risk of bone density loss in the future.
Best Age for Braces for Adults
Unlike children, there’s no specific age at which adults should visit an orthodontist. The best rule of thumb here is the sooner you come in for an issue, the better. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that adult teeth take a bit more time to straighten because their bones are more solid than children’s bones.
Types of Adult Braces
One of the greatest things about being an adult in need of braces is that you have options!
You can opt for traditional braces, which are metal brackets attached to your teeth and linked together with wire. Expect to go in periodically for tightening. You can opt for ceramic brackets for a less obvious appearance.
One of the most popular options for adults is clear aligners. These are a series of clear, removable trays that have been customized to your teeth-alignment needs. You typically only remove them for eating and brushing your teeth.
There are also lingual appliances for people who are self-conscious about the appearance of braces. These are placed behind your teeth. The downside to them is that they have the potential for tongue irritation and can interfere with speech.
Paying for Braces
One of the biggest issues people encounter with braces is paying for them. Braces are notoriously expensive! Don’t worry, you have options.
The most common way people pay for braces is by arranging a payment plan with their orthodontist. This might involve a down payment and subsequent installments. It’s similar to buying a car, process-wise.
Dental insurance and dental plans are good for people with children who need braces, but they may not cover adult braces. There are also credit and financing options available, if insurance isn’t an option.
Are You Considering Braces?
When it comes to orthodontics, no two mouths are the same.
While you cannot pinpoint the exact best age for braces for every single person, there are great guidelines. Start checking in with your child’s dentist around age 7 to monitor their smile. If you’re considering adult braces, know that it’s never too late to straighten crooked teeth and improve your smile!
Do you want to learn about more innovative ways to improve your personal health? You’re in the right spot! Check out the rest of our blog for tons of great health tips and tricks!
