Should You Wait Until All Your Child’s Baby Teeth Fall Out Before Starting Braces?
One of the most common questions we hear from parents at Glow Dental in Freeport, NY is:
“Should we wait until all of my child’s baby teeth fall out before seeing an orthodontist or starting braces?”
The short answer is no—not necessarily.
While many children do not need braces until most or all of their permanent teeth have erupted, certain orthodontic problems are better evaluated, and sometimes treated, while a child still has baby teeth.
The key is understanding the difference between when your child should be evaluated and when your child should actually start orthodontic treatment.
When Should My Child First See an Orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic checkup no later than age 7.
At this age, most children are in what we call the mixed dentition, meaning they have a combination of baby teeth and permanent teeth.
Seven may sound young, especially if your child still has plenty of baby teeth, but an orthodontic evaluation at this age does not mean your child needs braces right away.
In fact, many children who come to Glow Dental for an early orthodontic evaluation simply enter an observation period. We monitor how their permanent teeth are erupting, how their jaws are growing, and how their bite is developing until the timing is right for treatment.
Why Not Just Wait Until All the Baby Teeth Fall Out?
Sometimes waiting can mean missing an ideal window to address a developing problem.
During childhood, the jaws and face are still growing. An orthodontist can evaluate not only whether the teeth are straight, but also how the permanent teeth are developing beneath the gums, whether there is enough room for them to erupt, and how the upper and lower jaws fit together.
Certain problems, such as crossbites, underbites, severe crowding, narrow arches, or abnormal eruption of permanent teeth, may benefit from earlier evaluation or treatment.
That is why orthodontic timing should be based on your child’s individual growth and development, not simply the number of baby teeth they have left.
Can Kids Get Braces While They Still Have Baby Teeth?
Yes.
Some children can benefit from orthodontic treatment while they still have a mixture of baby and permanent teeth. This is commonly called Phase 1 orthodontic treatment or interceptive orthodontic treatment.
Phase 1 treatment is not necessary for every child. When it is recommended, there should be a specific reason for treating early rather than simply waiting.
Early orthodontic treatment may be considered for issues such as:
- Significant crowding or lack of space for permanent teeth
- A narrow upper jaw
- An anterior or posterior crossbite
- An underbite
- Certain severe overbites or protruding front teeth
- Permanent teeth erupting in an abnormal position
- Early loss of baby teeth and resulting loss of space
- Habits that are affecting the developing bite
- Teeth that appear at risk of becoming impacted
The goal is not to put braces on children as early as possible. The goal is to identify problems early enough that we can choose the most appropriate time to intervene.
What Is Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment?
Phase 1 orthodontics refers to treatment that begins while a child still has some baby teeth.
Depending on the orthodontic problem, treatment might involve a palatal expander, limited braces, space-maintaining appliances, growth-guidance appliances, or another targeted treatment.
For example, if a child’s upper jaw is very narrow, there may be an opportunity to use growth to our advantage and create additional space while the child is still developing.
After Phase 1 treatment, there is typically a period of observation while the remaining permanent teeth erupt. Some children will later need a second phase of comprehensive braces or clear aligner treatment.
Does Every 7-Year-Old Need Braces?
Absolutely not.
The recommendation for an orthodontic evaluation around age 7 is a recommendation to check development, not a recommendation to put braces on every 7-year-old.
At Glow Dental, if there is no benefit to starting treatment yet, we wait.
Sometimes the best orthodontic treatment at age 7, 8, or 9 is simply careful observation.
When Is It Better to Wait for More Permanent Teeth?
For many children, comprehensive braces are most appropriately started once most of the permanent teeth have erupted.
If your child’s jaws are developing appropriately, there are no significant bite problems, and the permanent teeth appear to have a reasonable eruption path, there may be no advantage to starting treatment early.
This is why two children of exactly the same age may receive completely different recommendations.
One 8-year-old may benefit from an expander now. Another may be monitored for several years before braces. A third may never need early treatment at all.
Orthodontic treatment should be based on dental development, jaw growth, bite, and the individual problem—not age alone.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From an Earlier Orthodontic Evaluation
You don’t need to diagnose an orthodontic problem yourself. However, parents may want to schedule an evaluation if they notice:
- Crowded or overlapping teeth
- An underbite
- A crossbite
- Very protruding front teeth
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Permanent teeth coming in behind or in front of baby teeth
- Teeth that aren’t coming in when expected
- Noticeable jaw asymmetry or shifting when biting
Some orthodontic problems aren’t easy for parents to see, which is another reason an early orthodontic screening can be helpful.
So, What Is the Best Age for Braces?
There isn’t one universal “best age” for braces.
For one child, the ideal time to intervene may be 7 or 8 years old. For another, it may be 10, 11, 12, or later.
The better question is:
“At what point in my child’s dental and facial development will orthodontic treatment be most beneficial?”
That is what an orthodontic evaluation is designed to determine.
Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics Together at Glow Dental
One advantage of bringing your child to Glow Dental in Freeport, New York is that pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are available under one roof.
Our team can monitor your child’s oral health, loss of baby teeth, eruption of permanent teeth, spacing, crowding, and bite as they grow. When an orthodontic concern develops, we can evaluate whether treatment should begin now or whether it makes more sense to continue monitoring.
That coordinated approach can be especially helpful during the mixed-dentition years, when children’s smiles can change quickly.
Looking for a Children’s Orthodontist in Freeport, NY?
If your child still has baby teeth, you should not wait until the last one falls out to schedule an orthodontic consultation.
An early evaluation does not necessarily mean early braces. It means having the information you need to make the right decision at the right time.
At Glow Dental in Freeport, NY, we provide orthodontic evaluations for children and teens from Freeport and surrounding Long Island communities. We’ll evaluate your child’s teeth, bite, jaw growth, and dental development and let you know whether treatment is recommended now—or whether the best plan is simply to watch, wait, and let them grow.
Have questions about your child’s teeth or whether it’s time for an orthodontic evaluation? Contact Glow Dental to schedule an orthodontic consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should my child lose all their baby teeth before getting braces?
Not necessarily. Some children benefit from orthodontic treatment while baby teeth are still present, while others are better served by waiting for more permanent teeth to erupt.
What age should my child see an orthodontist?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic checkup no later than age 7.
Can an 8-year-old get braces?
Yes, when there is a specific orthodontic reason to treat early. However, many 8-year-olds do not need braces and are simply monitored as they grow.
What is Phase 1 orthodontic treatment?
Phase 1 is targeted orthodontic treatment performed while a child still has a mixture of baby and permanent teeth. It may address developing bite, jaw, spacing, or eruption problems.
Does an early orthodontic consultation mean my child will need braces twice?
No. An evaluation does not automatically mean treatment is necessary. If early treatment is recommended, your orthodontist should explain the specific problem being addressed and whether comprehensive treatment may still be needed later.
Do I need a referral to bring my child to an orthodontist?
Generally, no. Parents can schedule an orthodontic evaluation directly.