When is the Right Time for Braces?

The decision to get braces for your children or for your own teeth can raise concerns about the timing. When should you consider braces as an adult? Is there an ideal time to get braces for your children? By clarifying the ideal timing, you will be able to discuss your options with our dentist to ensure that braces are a good choice in your situation.

Braces for Children

While it is possible to get braces at any age, many children benefit from braces when they get them during their formative years. Since the head and mouth are still growing and developing during childhood, the treatment may help with overbites, underbites, crooked teeth, or crowding in the mouth.

As a general rule, it is ideal to get children checked by a dentist when they start losing their baby teeth and their adult teeth start coming in. Crowding or crooked teeth will usually become apparent around 10 years old, but the ideal timing for braces among children is between 10 and 14 years old.

Braces for Adults

Adults who decide to get braces may not need to worry about the timing. In general, the right time for an adult depends on their goals and situation. It may depend on financial situations or personal preferences when you decide to talk to our professionals about braces.

Trauma to the face and jaw may impact your decision to consider braces. If you were injured and it changed your bite or caused problems with your teeth, then you will want to discuss appropriate treatments with a professional before determining that braces will help with your needs.

The decision to wear braces to straighten your teeth or address a problem with your jaw may require some adjustment to the timing. While the ideal timing is during development, adults can still benefit from braces to correct specific concerns or problems. The key is discussing your options with our professionals before you make a decision about your teeth.