Braces for Kids Liverpool: When Should Your Child Start?
As a parent, you want to give your child the best possible start in life, and a healthy, confident smile is a big part of that. Knowing when to seek an orthodontic evaluation can be confusing. Should you wait until all their baby teeth have fallen out? Or is earlier better? At Your Family Dentist Liverpool, we specialise in gentle, effective braces for kids in Liverpool. Here is our comprehensive guide on when to bring your child in and what to expect from early orthodontic treatment.
The Magic Number: Age 7
The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic assessment by the age of 7.
According to Your Family Dentist, this does not necessarily mean your 7-year-old will immediately get braces. By this age, the first adult molars have typically erupted, establishing the back bite. This allows our dentists to evaluate the front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. We can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present.
The Benefits of Phase 1 (Early) Intervention
If we detect a significant issue during that initial assessment, we may recommend Phase 1 treatment. This is early intervention designed to guide the growth of the jaw and create a better environment for the adult teeth to erupt into.
Phase 1 treatment might involve a palate expander to widen a narrow upper jaw, preventing severe crowding later on. It might also involve partial braces on the front teeth to correct a severe overbite or crossbite that is causing trauma to the gums or uneven wear on the enamel.
The primary benefit of Phase 1 treatment is that it takes advantage of the child’s active growth spurts. By guiding the jaw now, we can often prevent the need for permanent tooth extractions or jaw surgery in their teenage years. It also typically makes the second phase of comprehensive braces much shorter and less complicated.
Comprehensive Treatment (Phase 2)
For most children, comprehensive orthodontic treatment (full braces) begins between the ages of 11 and 14, once all the primary (baby) teeth have been lost and the permanent teeth have erupted.
At our Liverpool clinic, we offer a range of kid-friendly options. Traditional metal braces remain the most popular and robust choice for children. They are highly effective and allow kids to customise their look with coloured elastic bands. We also provide comprehensive education on how to brush and floss effectively around the brackets to ensure their teeth remain healthy and cavity-free throughout the treatment process.
FAQ: Children’s Orthodontics
Will my child definitely need braces if they suck their thumb?
Prolonged thumb sucking or dummy use past the age of 4 can push the upper front teeth outward and alter the shape of the palate, leading to an “open bite.” Early intervention is often highly successful in correcting these habits and the resulting dental issues before they become permanent.
Does getting braces hurt?
The process of bonding the brackets to the teeth is completely painless. However, your child will likely experience some mild soreness and pressure for a few days after the braces are fitted and after each adjustment appointment. This is easily managed with soft foods and over-the-counter pain relief like paracetamol.
Book Your Child’s Orthodontic Assessment
Give your child the gift of a straight, healthy smile for life.
Book a consultation at Your Family Dentist Liverpool — call us today on (02) 7256 4979 to schedule an early orthodontic evaluation for your child.
Braces are provided in a general and family dental setting. Learn about the wider child-friendly practice on our Liverpool family dentist page.