Most parents wonder about braces at some point, usually when the permanent front teeth come through looking crowded or crooked. Here is what genuinely indicates a child needs assessment, and when.
First check at age 7 to 9
Not to fit braces — to check that jaw and tooth development is on track. Several problems are far easier to correct while a child is still growing, and some opportunities close permanently once growth finishes.
Signs worth getting checked
In the teeth
- Teeth overlapping or visibly crowded as permanent teeth arrive
- Large gaps that are not closing
- Upper front teeth protruding noticeably
- Lower teeth biting in front of the upper teeth
- Upper teeth biting inside the lowers at the back — a crossbite
- Front teeth not meeting at all when the back teeth are closed — an open bite
- A permanent tooth erupting behind a baby tooth that has not fallen out
- A baby tooth lost much earlier than expected
In habits and function
- Thumb sucking continuing past age four or five
- Habitual mouth breathing
- Chewing consistently on one side only
- Difficulty biting into food
- Jaw clicking or shifting to one side when closing
- Speech difficulties involving the front teeth
- Frequently biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
What early treatment can achieve
Interceptive treatment is usually a simple appliance worn for a few months, not full braces:
- Expanders widen a narrow upper jaw while the palatal suture is still open — after growth finishes this needs surgery
- Space maintainers hold the gap when a baby tooth is lost early, so neighbours do not drift in
- Habit appliances break persistent thumb sucking
- Growth modification guides an upper or lower jaw that is developing out of proportion
Getting these right can reduce or occasionally eliminate the need for extractions later.
Full braces: usually 10 to 14
Once most permanent teeth are through but growth is still under way. See when is the right time to get braces.
Questions parents actually ask
Will they grow out of it? Crowding does not resolve itself — jaws do not get bigger after growth completes. Some spacing between baby teeth is normal and good, as it makes room for larger permanent teeth. A specialist can tell you which you are looking at.
Should we wait until all the baby teeth are out? For full braces, usually yes. For assessment, no — the point of early assessment is to catch things that are easier now.
Is it just cosmetic? No. Crowded teeth trap plaque where a brush cannot reach, leading to more decay and gum disease across a lifetime. An uneven bite wears some teeth far harder than others.
Will it hurt? Fitting does not. Teeth are tender for a few days afterwards, managed with soft food and ordinary painkillers.
Can my child play sport? Yes, with a mouthguard for contact sports. Ask us.
Before treatment starts
Any decay must be treated and the child needs to demonstrate they can clean properly. Brackets bonded onto poorly cleaned teeth produce permanent white marks. Read care with braces.
Assessment with Dr. Abhinav Shrivastava MDS at our Madan Mahal clinic — call 8359017239. More at braces and clear aligners.
