At Carolina Braces, we take pride in creating beautiful smiles through state of the art orthodontic services. Specializing in orthodontic treatment for children, teens and adults, we’re dedicated to helping you and your family.
To help you determine if your child may need braces, we’ve developed this helpful guide.

What Age Should My Child Go to the Orthodontist

Did you know most orthodontic problems start as early as age seven? For this reason, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that you bring your children for an orthodontic examination by the time they’re 7-years-old.

Don’t worry. This doesn’t mean they’ll actually need braces. Instead, taking your children to visit the orthodontist for a consultation may just help you avoid more costly/aggressive treatments down the line. So what happens during your first visit?

When a child visits our Raleigh orthodontics office, their orthodontist may check for a couple of things including misalignment of the jaw or overcrowded teeth. Both, of which, may indicate a need for braces to correct the alignment of the teeth.

During your consultation, your kid’s orthodontist may also take X-rays to check the alignment of incoming teeth. X-rays can help us see how the permanent teeth will come in and if braces are needed.

If problems are detected, your child’s orthodontist will develop a treatment plan (sometimes even before the baby teeth fall out). The ideal age your child should receive braces is between age 9 and 13 because their permanent teeth start fully coming in during that time

How Do I Know If My Kid Needs Braces

Children typically start losing their baby teeth around age 5 or 6. Shortly after, their permanent teeth will begin erupting around age 7.

During this time, there are several signs that may indicate a need for braces including crooked or overlapping teeth, overly crowded teeth, losing baby teeth too soon, or issues with the bite. Unfortunately, as a parent, these signs may not be easily identifiable.

Unlike your regular dentist, orthodontists are specially focused on correcting bites, occlusion, and the straightness of teeth. This means they can often spot problems with your child’s development sooner than a parent or even a regular dentist!

What Kind Of Braces Are Best For My Child

So, you’ve met with an orthodontist in Raleigh and determined that braces are the right next step for your child. But, what type of braces are the best choice? This discussion can often go beyond health considerations and well into the realm of aesthetic.

Since your child will be expected to wear their orthodontic appliance for an extended period of time, it’s important for the child to feel comfortable with their braces.

We want to make sure that braces for all kids (and adults) fit their teeth and their personality well. The good news is that there is a wide variety of options for a child to choose from that will fit their unique needs, including:

Braces Can Change Your Kid’s Life

As you’re researching the different types of orthodontic treatments available, you may wonder if your child even needs them in the first place. Although straight teeth can do wonders for one’s self-esteem, there are also several dental care reasons why you should consider orthodontics for your child.

To schedule a consultation with our team, contact us today!