What percentage of kids get braces?

Anywhere between 50-70% of American children will need to wear braces before they become adults.


How many kids in the US get braces?

About 3.5 million teens and kids start wearing braces every year, according to the Orthodontics Association. Surprisingly enough, about 25% of orthodontic patients are adults. It's a very common corrective treatment option that's used for a wide range of dental problems.

How common is getting braces?

Over 4 million people in the U.S. wear braces, and 25% of these individuals are adults. If you have a misaligned jaw or out-of-place teeth, be sure to ask your dentist if braces are right for you.


What percentage of kids have had braces?

Are you wondering whether it is time to get braces for your child? There are 4.5 million Americans wearing braces with 80 percent of those ranging in age from 6 to 18!

What percentage of the population has had braces?

Having braces as a child has become so common in the Western world that it can seem a rite of passage—today, an estimated 50 to 70 percent of U.S. children will wear braces before adulthood.


What is the Best Age to Get Braces? | Premier Orthodontics



Is it rare to not get braces?

A 1998 survey concluded that needing braces is more common than not needing them, estimating that only 35 percent of adults have properly aligned teeth.

What is the best age for braces?

However, a general rule of thumb is your kids should look at getting braces between the ages of 9 and 14. Usually, this is before they've gone through puberty. If they've already gone through it, this means it'll be harder to adjust their jaw and/or teeth, as they've already settled into their post-puberty positions.

Why do so many kids need braces now?

As a result, crowding or spacing of teeth may occur as well as over or underdeveloped upper and lower jaws that don't fit together properly in a functional bite. Over the centuries, these inconsistencies produced the need for orthodontic treatment and are more prevalent today than ever, especially in the United States.


Should you force your child to get braces?

We often see that once a child hears from a specialist, like us, about the benefits of braces, he or she may be more committed to follow through with recommended orthodontic treatment. This may go without saying, but we'll say it just in case: do not try to force your child into getting braces.

Do most kids need braces?

Some kids DO need braces, but not all kids…

Some kids are better served by other orthodontic treatments instead of braces. It is our job to figure out what is or isn't needed and what options are best (or if there even is a need for your child to have them).

What age is too late for braces?

The answer, it's never too late to get braces! Getting braces is usually associated with children and teenagers, but we are here to inform you that there is no age limit on getting braces. Having the perfect smile can be lifetime goal of yours no matter what your age.


Are braces always worth it?

Although braces may seem expensive, the results of wearing braces far outweigh the price. In fact, braces may soon become one of the most rewarding investments you can make for your oral health and self-confidence. So, are braces worth it? The answer is yes.

Are braces actually necessary?

The answer is, braces can be a necessity, especially if your crooked teeth are causing health issues. Below are a few of the benefits of braces. Nowadays it seems like everyone over the age of 12 has had braces at one point or another.

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.


Why are braces so common?

Orthodontically straightened teeth tend to last for longer than teeth which have not been treated in this way, as they are much easier to maintain. Straightening your teeth has definite longevity benefits and is just one of the reasons why people pursue orthodontic treatment.

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 there alternatives to braces for kids?

Clear aligners are a popular alternative to braces for kids and can correct a variety of orthodontic problems. The dentist fits the child for a series of clear, removable trays that go over the teeth. Patients need to wear the clear aligner for at least 20 hours a day for optimal results.


Is 10 too early for 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.

Why do American kids get 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 14 too late for braces?

Well, most people who wear braces tend to be between 10 and 14 years old. However, treatment can start from as young as 7 and there's no upper age limit.


Is 7 years old too early for 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!

Are braces better younger or older?

The ideal age for braces

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.

Do orthodontists ever not recommend braces?

We don't always recommend braces…

That being said, we evaluate each patient carefully and recommend the correct treatment option to provide the best possible outcome for your child. That may be traditional metal braces or a different orthodontic appliance.


What are the cons of braces?

Complications With Braces
  • Tooth decay or gum disease. ...
  • Allergic reactions. ...
  • Soft tissue injuries and canker sores. ...
  • Root Resorption. ...
  • Decalcification and Cavities. ...
  • Ankylosis. ...
  • Relapse. ...
  • They're still worth it!


Can you get braces just for fun?

Yes, adults get braces

But adults getting braces for cosmetic reasons is becoming more common, and it's something you shouldn't feel bad about jumping into!