24 March 2025

What is the Right Age for a Child to Get Braces

What Is the Right Age for A Child to Get Braces?

It’s completely understandable that you will be anxious to do the right thing for your child’s orthodontic health. This may be a particular concern when your child is in the process of losing their milk teeth and gaining their adult teeth. 

Hopefully, you will have already encouraged your child from an early age to properly look after their teeth and gums. This can help ensure they have strong and healthy adult teeth. 

However, when it comes to braces for kids, one question we are frequently asked is: “what is the right age for my child to get braces?” 

Our dentists at Knighton Dental have therefore explained the key things to know. 

When Do Kids Usually Get Braces?

Our dental experts don’t recommend braces for kids before their seventh birthday. This is because at this age, a child’s permanent teeth will still be getting into position. 

It typically takes until around the ages of 12 to 14 for most children to have all their permanent teeth, apart from wisdom teeth. 

Sure enough, in the UK, the age when kids most commonly get braces is 12 or 13. Our own recommendation is that the most suitable age to get braces is usually between 10 and 14. 

However, there is no “one-size-fits-all” approach to orthodontic treatment. Every child is unique, and kids’ teeth emerge at varying stages as they grow up. 

So, once your child reaches seven years old, we suggest that you consult an experienced orthodontist. They can assess your child’s unique needs and begin discussing appropriate treatments. 

Signs Your Child Needs Braces

If you see the below signs in your child, this may indicate a potential need for braces – whether now or in the future: 

• Very crowded front teeth 
• Overbite or underbite 
• Protruding teeth 
• An out-of-proportion or misaligned jaw 
• Difficulties with eating and/or speaking 
• The loss of baby teeth before the age of five or after age 14 
• Clenched teeth or grinding 
• Snoring and/or mouth-breathing 

Different Types of Braces for Kids

If an orthodontic evaluation determines that your child requires braces, you will need to consider which type of braces will be best. 

The right braces for your child will largely depend on how effective they are at resolving their dental issue. However, the chosen braces will also need to be comfortable for your child, and easy to maintain. 

Available types of braces for kids include: 

• Traditional fixed metal braces, which are highly durable and enable precise adjustments to individual teeth. They are a proven and efficient solution for correcting misaligned teeth and bite issues. 
• Ceramic fixed braces, which are also highly effective, but – unlike the aforementioned metal braces – blend with the natural tooth colour. Your child may prefer these if they would like their braces to be less noticeable. 
• Removable braces, such as Invisalign clear plastic aligners. These may be a suitable option for slightly older children who would feel self-conscious wearing classic metal braces. 

To learn more about the different types of braces for kids in Leicester, and to book a consultation at our clinic, please contact us via phone or email today.