What age do kids get braces?

What age do kids get braces?

The American Association of Orthodontists does not name a single best age. It recommends a first orthodontic evaluation around age 7, when children usually have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. At that age an orthodontist can check how permanent teeth are coming in and spot problems such as crossbites, crowding or impacted teeth, and catching them early may prevent more complex treatment later. A first visit does not mean braces start then.

What is early treatment?

The AAO describes early interceptive care for younger patients, such as palatal expanders or partial braces, that can correct issues while the jaw grows and may shorten the time needed for full braces. The AAO's page on underbites says mild underbites caught early can often be treated without surgery and recommends an early evaluation by age 7. Not every child needs early treatment, which is why the first visit is an assessment.

When do braces usually go on?

The sources we read do not give a typical age for full braces. Braces generally go on once enough permanent teeth have come in, but the right moment depends on the child's teeth and jaw growth and is the orthodontist's decision. Our guides on when kids lose baby teeth explain the sequence.

What age can you get braces?

The NHS says braces are generally free for children under 18 who have a problem with their teeth, that adults usually pay privately, and that adults can have orthodontic treatment. The AAO says adults can be treated with braces, clear aligners or, in some cases, surgery, and that adult treatment may take longer because adult teeth are more firmly set in the jaw. The AAO's braces page notes that dental insurance covers orthodontics less often for adults than for children under 18.

How many appointments are there?

The NHS says a dentist refers a child to an orthodontist, who assesses the teeth and jaws, possibly using X-rays, photos or scans, and that adjustment appointments are roughly every six to eight weeks. The AAO says adjustment visits usually occur every 6 to 10 weeks. Our sources do not give a number of visits before braces go on, so ask the orthodontist how many consultation and preparation visits to expect.

How long do braces last?

Healthline says the average course of braces is about one to three years. The NHS says fixed braces, the type usually offered on the NHS, typically stay on for one to two years. Afterwards a retainer is needed to keep the teeth in place, and the orthodontist sets how long it is worn. See our guides on retainers.

How many years does it take to become an orthodontist?

The sources we read do not say. The AAO's braces page does not state how many years orthodontists train. If you want to know your orthodontist's qualifications, ask them directly or check with your national dental association.

Do kids need a referral?

In the NHS system a dentist refers a child to an orthodontist, and waiting lists can be long. Eligibility for NHS braces depends on how the teeth affect daily life, such as eating or cleaning them, and if a child is not eligible, families can ask a dentist about other options or pay for private braces. Elsewhere the rules differ, and the sources we read do not cover them, so ask your dentist how to book.

What helps treatment go well?

The AAO says following care instructions, avoiding problem foods and drinks and keeping appointments can help treatment go faster, and that discomfort is usually temporary and short-lived. Healthline says eating sticky, hard or crunchy foods, breaking appliances or not following instructions can lengthen treatment, and that bones need time to settle, so removing braces early can undo progress.

Questions to ask your orthodontist

Take these to a first visit.

• Does my child need early treatment or can we wait?
• When do you expect braces to go on, and why?
• How long will treatment take, and how often will we visit?
• What happens if we wait?
• How will we pay, and what is covered?

Frequently asked questions