Is it normal for 8 year olds to have braces?

There is no fixed age for acquiring braces. Orthodontists decide on a case by case basis when it is best to begin treatment. Usually, children between the ages of nine and 14 can get braces, because the child will have some permanent teeth at this point.


Is 9 too early for braces?

At what age can you get braces? For children, most get braces between 9 and 14 years old. But adults can benefit from orthodontia as well, and there's no right or wrong age for adults to get braces. As a general rule, once the adult teeth are in, braces are possible.

What age do most kids get braces?

Some children start their orthodontic treatment as young as six. However, most agree that the best age to get braces or another form of treatment is between the ages of 8 and 14, which is when the head and mouth are most conducive to straightening.


Why are kids getting braces so early?

Newer technology now allows us to use patients' early growth to help correct and more importantly, prevent orthodontic problems as the child's permanent teeth begin to come in. At age 7, any growth or eruption issues are easily detected.

Is it normal for a 7 year old to get braces?

Orthodontic treatment is designed to work with a mixed dentition, or a growing mouth of baby teeth and permanent teeth, so braces at age 7 or 8 is possible!


Getting my braces 😁 at 8 years old ~braces to fix my crossbite



What percentage of kids get braces?

Anywhere between 50-70% of American children will need to wear braces before they become adults. With how common this orthodontic treatment is, it's almost a rite of passage for kids in the US.

What age is not good for braces?

Simply put, there is actually no age limit for someone to get braces. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, there is a high number of patients fitted with dental braces every day over the age of 18. Typically, the only requirements dental professionals have is a healthy jaw bone and permanent teeth.

Why do you have to get braces at 8?

The simple answer is that at this age, our goal is to set the child up for all permanent teeth to come in and upper and lower jaws to grow normally. If there is something that will potentially get in the way of this happening, early orthodontic treatment (called Phase 1 treatment) is recommended.


Is it better to get braces as a kid?

Early adolescence, or between the ages of 10 and 14, is widely considered the ideal time to get braces. That's because preteens and younger teens have all (or nearly all) of their adult teeth in place, and their softer jawbone tissue is still quite responsive to repositioning.

What happens if kids don't get braces?

Weakened, Worn, or Chipped Teeth

Chewing with overcrowded teeth or bite issues like underbite, overbite, or cross bite isn't just uncomfortable. These all place extra wear and tear on your teeth, which gradually weakens the enamel over time. The longer this goes on, the more likely your teeth are to chip and break.

Are braces painful for children?

The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious. In most cases, there is mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the brackets, which may last for a few days.


What is the shortest time to have braces?

The shortest amount of time to have your braces is 12-24 months. Braces, on the other hand, take a different amount of time-based on the patient and their dental demands. Because every person's teeth, mouth, and gums are different, the treatment time will vary.

Do braces stunt jaw growth?

As teenagers grow, the greatest facial changes occur in the lower face. There is a notable increase in the distance from the nose to the chin. The amount of jaw growth a patient might experience during orthodontic care is between none at all and 3/4 of an inch.

What are side effects of braces?

Common Side Effects of Braces
  • Mild Discomfort. Some discomfort with braces is totally normal and should be expected. ...
  • Irritation. ...
  • Jaw Pain. ...
  • Difficulty Eating. ...
  • Tooth Decay. ...
  • Decalcification. ...
  • Allergic Reactions. ...
  • Root Resorption.


How long do kids wear braces?

How long kids need to wear braces depends on the problems the orthodontist is trying to fix. The average time is about 2 years. After that, a child might wear a specially molded retainer — a small, hard piece of plastic with metal wires or a thin piece of plastic shaped like a mouthguard.

Do braces change your face?

Yes, braces can change your jawline, your chin, the shape of your mouth, and even your lips. However, these effects are secondary to the actual reforming of your teeth and bite. Braces can tighten your jawline and your teeth, but this happens over time and imperceptibly.

Why do so many kids have braces?

When baby teeth are lost early, the adult teeth lose their 'guide' and they erupt into the mouth in a variety of different positions. The bad news is that this is one of the main reasons we see crowding in our kids today – because of early loss of baby teeth.


How can I prevent my child from getting braces?

Want to Avoid Braces? Avoid These 5 Common Habits.
  1. Pacifiers and thumb-sucking. It's important to kick thumb-sucking and the use of pacifiers at an early age. ...
  2. Extended bottle use. Weaning a child off a bottle can be a tough habit to break. ...
  3. Sleeping face down. Sorry, tummy sleepers. ...
  4. Leaning on your palm. ...
  5. Poor dental hygiene.


Do braces affect speech?

You may experience minor tenderness or sensitivity on your cheeks and tongue, making it slightly challenging to pronounce words or chew hard foods. This is completely normal! As your mouth adapts, you'll be able to speak normally within a week or two.

Can a child grow out of an overbite?

According to the American Dental Association, almost 70% of children have some type of overbite. Some overbites (especially in young children) improve on their own as the child grows and develops. However, around the age of 7, children should see an orthodontist to assess their bite.


Can an orthodontist mess up your teeth?

Braces themselves are unlikely to cause damage to your teeth, but wearing them does add to the importance of your personal responsibility for oral hygiene. Traditional braces can act as traps for food particles, providing anchors for bits of food to hang on to the surface of your teeth.

Can you ever get braces off early?

Braces can be removed early if a patient absolutely insists, but there are many downsides to this decision. For starters, incomplete treatment may leave your overall dental health and tooth alignment worse than it was before you started.

How many hours until braces start hurting?

When Do Braces Hurt? After your braces are bonded on your teeth you can expect your teeth to be sore in about 3-4 hours. If you start to feel soreness at that time, know that this is normal and to be expected. Getting braces is like running . . . the first time you go for a run, your legs will feel sore the day after.


Can braces be put on too early?

Braces For Young Kids Might Not Always Be Best Orthodontists recommend that children get checked for treatment no later than age 7. But research shows waiting until kids are older may be more beneficial in the long run. In some cases, young kids could be back in braces again when they're older.

What to expect after child gets braces?

Dealing with Soreness and Discomfort

The first few days are the worst as far as soreness and discomfort are concerned. Remind your child that it's normal for the teeth and mouth to be sore after having braces put on but also remind them that this discomfort only lasts for a few days.