Is My Child Too Young for Braces?

You’ve noticed your child’s teeth have started to shift out of place, and you fear it’s the beginning of a slew of oral health problems. Are braces your kid’s only (or best) path forward? Maybe not.

At Rifkin Dental in Carmel and Yorktown Heights, New York, our families come to us with all sorts of questions, and one of the most popular is how young is too young for braces.

That’s where our expert pediatric dentists come in. We have years of experience helping parents and caregivers navigate their child’s oral health treatment options, especially when we’re talking about braces. 

Here’s a closer look at some things we consider when making the call. 

Is my child too young for braces?

Possibly. We don’t typically recommend braces for children until all their permanent teeth mature and fully come in. There’s little use in spending time and money correcting an alignment issue with a baby tooth that will only fall out. 

We also wait to see exactly how your child’s permanent teeth come in. Adult teeth tend to erupt in awkward angles. What you think is an alignment issue might be your child’s teeth trying to find their way into their assigned spot, eventually straightening out.

You can expect your child to go through the cycle of losing their baby teeth and sprouting adult teeth until they’re around 11-13 years old; however, that doesn’t necessarily mean your child can’t get braces before then.

We consider every child’s oral health needs individually and make recommendations based on their unique situation rather than general guidelines. 

Are there other options?

Traditional metal braces aren’t your child’s only option. Depending on the severity of their alignment issues, your child may be a candidate for Invisalign®, which involves a series of clear aligners that gradually correct minor orthodontic problems. 

Because caring for aligners involves a certain level of responsibility, we don’t typically recommend them for younger children. But we can discuss all your child’s options at their consultation and help you make the best decision. 

Why would my child need braces?

Braces aren’t just for closing gaps and straightening alignment issues, which are often only the tip of the iceberg. Gaps and crooked teeth, especially in younger patients, can cause: 

• Trouble chewing or biting
• Jaws that make sounds, shift, protrude, or are recessed
• Difficulty speaking
• Cheek biting or biting into the roof of their mouth
• Protruding teeth
• Teeth that fail to meet normally or at all
• Facial imbalance or asymmetry
• Teeth grinding or clenching

These problems can have a lasting impact on your child’s oral health and lead to issues as they get older. 

That’s why we recommend bringing your child in for regular dental checkups. We can spot changes in their bite and alignment in the earliest stages and advise you on steps to take to keep them from becoming more severe issues. 

What should I be looking for?

The only way to tell for sure whether your child needs braces is to consult one of our experts, but there are some things you can watch for. 

Once your child starts to get their adult teeth, check regularly to see if they’re settling in straight. Let us know if you see any crowding, gaps, or bite problems. 

Your child may complain of pain or discomfort when chewing, or you may notice that they tend to breathe with their mouth open. 

If your child loses their baby teeth early, the open spaces can cause unnatural shifting; on the other hand, baby teeth that overstay their welcome can also cause alignment problems. Schedule an appointment with us if you notice either of these problems. 

Thumb and finger suckers (you can often count long-term pacifier users as well) are also more likely to need braces at some point in their lives. 

You know your child best and are often the first line of defense when it comes to their well-being. Keep a close eye on their habits and how their teeth are forming, and don’t hesitate to raise a flare if you have even the slightest concerns. 

Schedule a consultation today

Whether you’re convinced your child needs braces or you’re just now starting to notice changes in their teeth, we’re here to guide and support you. You can schedule an appointment online or over the phone today at our Rifkin Dental location closest to you.