Orthodontics for Kids: When to Start and What to Expect

Sometimes, children’s braces aren’t necessary. Some kids grow up with a straight smile and a healthy bite without the need for any orthodontic intervention. However, this is the exception rather than the rule. Around 50% to 70% of children will need some type of braces during their childhood.

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The goal of pediatric orthodontics is to ensure that your child develops a straight smile and a healthy bite. But orthodontics isn’t just cosmetic. Straight teeth are easier to clean, which reduces your child’s risk of gum disease and tooth decay in the future. Not only that, but a healthy bite reduces their risk of premature tooth wear, as well as conditions like TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint disorders), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and more.

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Still, you may have questions about orthodontics for your child. How does it work? When should they get braces? And do they need additional treatments before they get braces? In this guide, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about when you should get started with braces, as well as what you can expect from the process.

When Should My Child Get Braces?

The best age to get braces is around the age of 12-13 for most kids. At this age, most children have all of their adult teeth except for their wisdom teeth, but their jaws are still growing. This means it’s much easier to move their teeth and jaws to correct bite and teeth alignment issues.

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However, some kids will need braces much earlier, between the ages of 7-9 years old. This is known as “Phase 1” treatment, or “early interceptive orthodontics.” This phase involves treatments that move both their adult and baby teeth, and is sometimes necessary to ensure proper oral development in your child’s teenage years and beyond.

Recognizing the signs that your child may need braces

Not sure whether or not your child needs braces or other orthodontic treatment? Here are a few signs that you can look out for as their mouth develops:

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• Crowded, crooked, or uneven teeth
• Protruding front teeth
• Large gaps and spaces between teeth
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• Adult teeth erupting late or failing to erupt completely
• Difficulty chewing food properly or speaking clearly
• Oral habits like mouth breathing or thumb-sucking past the age of 4-5 years
• Teeth that do not align properly when they bite down or smile
• Facial asymmetry (one side of the face looks different than the other)

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It’s not always easy to recognize the signs that your child needs orthodontic treatment. This is why it’s so important to schedule an orthodontic consultation with a pediatric dentist or orthodontist around the age of 6-7 years.

Understanding Early Interceptive (Phase 1) Orthodontics

Phase 1 orthodontics refers to orthodontic treatments that are done on children who have a mixture of both baby and adult teeth, usually starting between the ages of 7-9 years. If your child has serious oral development issues, this step of treatment may be necessary to ensure the proper development of their teeth and jaws.

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Early interceptive orthodontics can be used to treat a wide variety of issues. For example, if your child has a high, narrow palate and crowded teeth, their orthodontist may recommend partial braces and a palate expander to help expand their palate and ensure the proper development of their jaws and teeth.

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Or, if your child has very prominent front teeth (overjet) or has a severe overbite, their dentist may recommend a combination of braces and orthodontic headgear to correct the position of their teeth and jaws. There are many different treatment options available, and the proper intervention depends on your child’s oral development, their specific orthodontic needs, and a variety of other factors.

The benefits of early interceptive orthodontics

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• Much easier to treat certain orthodontic issues – When your child is young and their jaws are growing and changing rapidly, it’s much easier to correct certain orthodontic issues like bite alignment issues, narrow palates, and more.

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• Improves oral and overall health – With phase 1 orthodontic treatment, you can improve your child’s oral health and overall well-being. Not only will you reduce their risk of future oral health and orthodontic issues, but they will be able to speak more clearly, smile with confidence, eat their favorite foods, and more!

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• Reduces the complexity of future orthodontic treatment – Generally speaking, early interceptive orthodontics makes things much simpler if your child needs braces in the future. This reduces overall treatment costs and means that your child won’t need to wear braces for as long during their teenage years.

What To Expect During Your Child’s Orthodontic Consultation

At SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry, we offer expert orthodontic care for patients all throughout the greater Washington, DC area. Led by Dr. Rawia Alkhunaizi, our orthodontic team offers both phase 1 orthodontics for younger children and braces for kids and teens of all ages. Wondering what to expect during your first visit? Here’s an overview of the process.

Visual exam

Dr. Alkhunaizi will begin by examining your child’s mouth and looking for signs of orthodontic issues, including teeth crowding, crooked teeth, gaps between teeth, bite alignment issues, and more. A visual exam allows her to get a better idea of your child’s overall oral development.

X-rays and digital imaging

Along with an oral exam, Dr. Alkhunaizi will take digital X-rays of your child’s teeth. She may also choose to take a 3D scan or photographs of their mouth. These digital images allow us to gain deeper insights into your little one’s oral health and development.

Treatment discussion and planning

Based on the findings of her orthodontic exam and the images of your child’s mouth, Dr. Alkhunaizi will discuss your child’s orthodontic needs with you, answer any questions you may have, and go over your child’s options for treatment. These may include phase 1 treatment, braces, or even Invisalign Teen, depending on the situation. If you’re ready to get started, you can book your little one’s next visit at SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry right away!

Braces And Alternatives For Kids – Understanding Your Options

Metal braces

Braces made out of metal are tried-and-true, and are often the best option for kids and teens. They use metal brackets that are semi-permanently attached to your child’s teeth. Then, an “archwire” is attached to the brackets with rubber bands and adjusted by your child’s orthodontist to move their teeth into the proper positions.

Ceramic braces

Ceramic braces are growing in popularity as an option both for kids’ braces and adult braces. These are very similar to metal braces, but use tooth-colored brackets, clear elastics, and a tooth-colored archwire. This reduces their prominence and appearance compared to traditional metal braces.

Clear aligners (Invisalign Teen)

Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that can be used to move your teen’s teeth without braces. Invisalign is completely transparent when worn, is removable for eating and oral hygiene, and offers enhanced comfort and convenience. While it’s not an option for all teenagers, it’s still a great choice for teens who are good candidates and want a more subtle way to straighten their smiles.

Preparing Your Child For Orthodontic Treatment – Our Tips

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• Help them understand what to expect – It’s a good idea to explain the basics of braces to your child or teen so that they know what to expect from treatment. Their orthodontist can help with this, too, and discuss the basics of how braces work and what will happen during the treatment process.

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• Stock up on soft foods, especially after adjustments – Foods like yogurt, applesauce, smoothies, and pudding are all great to have on hand, especially during the first couple of days after your child has their braces adjusted.
  
  
• Make sure you have orthodontic wax on hand – Orthodontic wax can be used to cover up sharp wires or irritating brackets as your child gets used to them. You can get it at most pharmacies and grocery stores.
  
  
• Stay positive and focus on the results – Having braces isn’t always fun, but the results are worth it. If your child is struggling, remind them of the benefits of a straight, confident, and healthy smile!
  
  
• Keep an eye on Invisalign compliance – If you choose Invisalign for your teen, you will need to make sure they wear their aligners for at least 20-22 hours per day. If they do not wear their aligners enough, this may lead to treatment delays, revisions, and extra costs.

Schedule An Orthodontic Consultation At Our Office Today!

Whether you suspect that your teen needs braces or you believe that your child could benefit from early orthodontics, the team at SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. Dr. Rawia Alkhunaizi is an expert orthodontist who operates at both our Alexandria, VA and Sterling, VA locations.

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With Dr. Alkhunaizi on your side, you can explore all of your child’s options for a straighter smile, a healthier bite, and proper oral development. From early intervention with phase 1 care to braces for children and teens of all ages, we offer expert orthodontic care in a welcoming, child-focused environment. Contact us online to book a consultation with Dr. Alkhunaizi at either our Sterling or Alexandria office.