The best time for treatment largely depends on the specific dental problem found in the evaluation. Tooth straightening with braces for kids is usually reserved for children between the ages of 9 and 14, after their permanent teeth have come in.

Early treatment provides a wide variety of benefits, such as:

1. Guiding a child’s permanent teeth into a more favorable position

2. Supporting facial and jaw growth for proper bite and tooth alignment later

3. Correcting harmful oral habits

4. Reducing the severity of dental problems and optimizing future treatment results

5. Improving tooth alignment, which boosts a child’s self-confidence

While a child under the age of 9 may be too young for retainers or metal braces for kids, they may benefit from interceptive orthodontics that directs the growth and development of the teeth and jaws to minimize overcrowding and uneven bite later and therefore improve the outcome of braces when the child is older.

Contact Dr. Heidari if you note any of the following signs in your child:

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• Difficulty biting or chewing

• Mouth breathing

• Jaws that make sounds or shift

• Speech difficulties

• Biting the inside of their cheek frequently

• Facial imbalance

• Clenching their jaws or grinding their teeth