Medically Reviewed by Dr. Dory Green, DMD, FAGD on September 9, 2026
Every day, parents ask us if their child will need braces or how they can tell from an early age. Even though the answer you are looking for is a simple yes or no, it is not always clear-cut. As a cosmetic dentist, before we can confidently answer that question for your family, we need to consider your child’s bite, assess their jaw growth, and evaluate how their permanent teeth are coming in.
- Consider
- Assess
- Evaluate
We know that you are concerned about the future of your child’s mouth and we want to help you learn the signs that may indicate that your child will need braces in the future.
The Right Age for a First Orthodontic Evaluation
Most parents are surprised to learn that the recommended age for a first orthodontic evaluation is much earlier than when active treatment typically begins. Waiting for a checkup often means waiting for a problem to become more pronounced, so an early look at your child’s growth patterns keeps your options open.
Professional dental organizations generally recommend a first orthodontic evaluation by around age 7, even while your child still has most of their baby teeth. By that age, the first adult molars and front incisors have usually erupted, giving a dentist a clear enough picture of how the bite and jaw are developing. Most children evaluated at 7 are simply monitored with periodic rechecks and do not start active treatment until several years later, once more permanent teeth have come in. Most children who do need braces begin active treatment somewhere between ages 10 and 14, once the majority of baby teeth have been lost.
Ages for Braces
You can always be on the lookout for whether or not your child will need braces. When your baby’s first tooth erupts, they should begin seeing a dentist. This tends to be between six and 12 months. By regularly visiting the dentist, you and your dentist can be prepared for a braces intervention if needed. Sometimes, it may be recommended that a first set of braces is placed before all their baby teeth fall out. In severe cases, some problems are best treated as early as possible. In other cases, patience is the best method. The age for braces can vary significantly due to these reasons and can happen anywhere from six to the late teens.
By treating teeth with braces early on and avoiding waiting until adult age, you can help your child avoid confidence issues and support a strong, healthy self-esteem that does not lead them to hide their smile. If you are an adult and think that you need the help of braces, we want to help. We have multiple options available including invisible braces that can straighten your teeth and leave you with a smile that you are proud of. If you are weighing clear aligners against traditional metal brackets for your teenager, our breakdown of how long clear aligners take compared to traditional braces can help you understand the tradeoffs before your consultation.
Signs That Braces are Needed
The following can indicate the need for braces in both children and adults:
- Irregular, early, or late loss of baby teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Blocked-out teeth
- Jaws that make sounds or click when opening and closing
- Misplaced teeth
- Teeth that are not proportionate with the face
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
- Teeth that don’t meet
- Teeth that meet abnormally
- Jaws disproportionate to the face
- Shifting jaws
In addition to those issues, there can also be a problem with your child’s bite. This can include the following problems:
- Having extra teeth
- Missing teeth
- Crooked teeth
- An under-bite
- An overbite
- Incorrect position of the jaw
As an adult, you may experience some of these issues as well. If you or your child has any of the above signs, please call us today for a complimentary consultation at our DG Dental in Fort Lauderdale.
Age for Orthodontic Care
Issues with bite-related problems can start during a variety of stages of dental development and will largely depend on the child’s growth and specific case. Your cosmetic dentist can weigh the risks and benefits of beginning treatment or holding off on treatment. There are certain cases where early orthodontic treatment is necessary and can begin before baby teeth have all fallen out. However, other times, treatment can begin when most of the permanent teeth have grown in. You can click here to learn more about braces for your child. The best way to find out if braces are needed is to schedule a visit with a dentist that does orthodontics. If your child is concerned with the look of braces or is embarrassed to wear them, we have invisible braces available that can make a huge difference.
Why are Braces Needed?
A large majority of orthodontic issues are genetic, which means that issues with teeth have been inherited. However, other problems can develop due to the following:
- Thumb sucking
- Breathing through the mouth instead of the nose
- Poor nutrition
- Dental decay
Genetic and hereditary reasons can include:
Crowding
Crowding is the number one reason that braces are needed. This means that there is not enough room in the mouth for all of the teeth. This will lead to crooked teeth, and this problem will get worse over time, especially as your child gets older. When teeth are crowded, it makes it difficult to brush and floss, which can cause decay and lead to serious problems if not corrected.
Overbite, Underbite, Crossbite, and Openbite
An overbite occurs when the front teeth stick out farther than the bottom teeth do. On the other hand, an underbite is when the upper tooth sits behind the lower teeth when biting down. With an underbite, the risk of trauma to the front tooth is significantly increased. A crossbite is where the upper tooth is behind the lower opposing tooth. This can cause serious problems such as fractured teeth, excessive wear to both teeth, and even abnormal jaw growth. Lastly, an openbite is when the front teeth do not touch the bottom teeth at all. This is an abnormal situation and can lead to speech problems as well as difficulty biting down.
Mouth Breathing, Thumb Sucking, and Other Habits Worth Watching
Beyond genetics, a handful of everyday habits are common early warning signs that an orthodontic evaluation may be worthwhile. Thumb or pacifier use that continues past age four, chronic mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing, and prolonged bottle use can all put gentle but sustained pressure on developing teeth and jaws. Over months and years, that pressure can contribute to an open bite, a narrow palate, or crowding that might otherwise have been avoided.
Parents are often the first to notice these patterns since they happen at home rather than in the dental chair. If your child snores, breathes through their mouth during the day, or still relies on a thumb or pacifier well past toddlerhood, mentioning it at their next dental visit gives your dentist helpful context when evaluating whether an orthodontic referral makes sense.
What Happens During an Orthodontic Evaluation
An orthodontic evaluation is typically quick and comfortable for children. Your dentist will examine how the teeth meet, check for crowding or spacing, and may take x-rays or a digital scan to see how permanent teeth are developing beneath the gumline. This gives a full picture of jaw growth that cannot be seen from a visual exam alone.
If treatment is not yet needed, your dentist will typically recommend a recheck schedule, often every six to twelve months, so that any changes in growth or eruption patterns are caught early. If early intervention would be beneficial, your dentist will walk you through the available options, including invisible braces, and the general timeline you can expect.
DG Dental Offers Braces
We want you or your child to be able to enjoy a lovely, straight smile as soon as possible. We offer invisible braces options that can benefit people of all ages. With these options, you will not have to worry about having a mouth full of metal, and you will still be able to enjoy all types of foods. If you would like to find out more about the options that we offer, contact us today for a complimentary consultation. You can also review our overview of how Invisalign compares to traditional braces for a closer look at both paths before your visit.
Frequently Asked Questions About Braces for Children
At what age should my child have their first orthodontic evaluation?
Most dental organizations recommend a first orthodontic evaluation by around age seven, even while a child still has most of their baby teeth. This does not mean treatment starts that early. It simply gives your dentist a baseline to monitor jaw growth and catch developing issues sooner rather than later.
Does thumb sucking really affect a child’s teeth?
Thumb sucking that continues past around age four can place ongoing pressure on the front teeth and roof of the mouth, sometimes contributing to an open bite or a narrowed palate. Most children stop on their own, but a dentist can offer strategies to help if the habit continues into the early school years.
Can braces be avoided if problems are caught early?
Early evaluation does not guarantee that braces will be unnecessary, but it does mean more treatment options are usually available. Addressing crowding, bite problems, or airway-related habits while the jaw is still growing can sometimes simplify treatment later, though every child’s case is different.
What is the difference between phase one and phase two orthodontic treatment?
Phase one treatment addresses significant bite or jaw growth issues while a child still has baby teeth, often using a device to guide jaw development. Phase two treatment, usually braces or clear aligners, follows once most permanent teeth have erupted to fine-tune alignment. Not every child needs both phases.
Are invisible braces an option for kids and teens?
Invisible aligner systems are available for many children and teens once enough permanent teeth have erupted to support them, and they can be a good option for those who feel self-conscious about traditional metal brackets. Your dentist can evaluate your child’s specific bite to determine if they are a good candidate.
About the Author
Founder, DG Dental
Dr. Dory Green is the founder of DG Dental in Fort Lauderdale. She earned her dental degree from Temple University School of Dentistry and works with patients of all ages on orthodontic evaluation and treatment planning.
