When should kids get braces? Invisalign First could be an alternative for your child.

There is simply nothing brighter than a child's smile. But as kids grow, their teeth can become crooked or crowded. This can happen for a range of reasons¹ — if the jaw is too small for all of the teeth, genetics, or even if thumb sucking continues for too long.

If your child does have misaligned or crooked teeth, it's entirely normal to wonder if they are able to get a straighter smile by getting braces. Here, we explain when the right time is for braces and the wider teeth-straightening possibilities for your child.

How do I know if my child needs braces?

There’s no quick and easy way to tell if your child needs braces — the best way to find out is by consulting with an orthodontist. They will be able to carry out an examination and assess if braces are the best treatment option. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends that children have their first visit with an orthodontist no later than age 7.²

There are, however, some signs that you can look out for which may indicate that your child's teeth would benefit from braces:

If you have answered yes to any of the above, then it's definitely worth booking an appointment with a orthodontist to follow up on the needs of your child.

What are the benefits of straighter teeth for your child?

Aside from the obvious aesthetic reasons, there are also a number of health benefits that come with having straighter teeth. Crooked or crowded teeth are harder to clean, which can then lead to an increased build-up of plaque³ and bacteria. This raises the risk of cavities and gum disease³

In some cases, misaligned teeth can also cause speech problems.⁴ If the teeth don't fit together correctly, misalignment can also cause bite and chewing issues.⁴

Invisalign First treatment for children can help to prevent pre-existing bite issues from getting worse. If your child already has a misaligned bite, Invisalign First treatment can correct it and help to prevent further problems in the future.

One can also never underestimate the power of confidence from a straighter smile. We all want the best for our kids, and knowing that they are bubbling with self-esteem is one of the best gifts we can give them.

Above all, straighter teeth are an investment in the future of your child. By helping them get straighter teeth now, you are setting them up for a lifetime of good oral health, fewer expensive bills, and the confidence to take on the world. You can read more about the benefits of straighter teeth in our article 4 Good Reasons for Teeth Straightening That Go Beyond a Beautiful Smile.

What are the different types of braces for kids?

The most common type of braces is metal braces. These are made from high-grade stainless steel and are bonded to the front of the teeth. Each time your child visits their orthodontist, the orthodontist will likely tighten their braces to move their teeth into their correct position.

Adjusting braces usually involves tightening or changing the springs, wires, or elastic bands⁵ to increase the "squeeze" needed to straighten your child’s teeth. During these adjustments, your child might also choose to change their braces' colour by choosing different coloured elastic bands.

​​​Other popular types of braces include:

Alternatives to braces for children

Back when you were a kid, metal braces were probably the go-to for straightening teeth, and the whole "brace-face" image was very real!

These days there are some advanced alternatives to traditional braces, with Invisalign clear aligner treatment being very popular amongst parents and kids alike – Invisalign has treated over 4.5 growing million patients worldwide and counting!⁶

Invisalign treatment uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth. Because the aligners are clear, they are much less noticeable than metal braces. Invisalign is also removable, so your child can take them out for eating, drinking, and brushing their teeth.

Invisalign treatment is loved by both parents and kids for its convenience and discretion.

Advantages of Invisalign First treatment vs braces

Brushing and Flossing

Smiling happy child brushing teeth with toothbrush. Dental hygiene of little boy, medical care.

It's always a bit tricky to make sure kids are brushing and flossing their teeth properly at the best of times, so you can imagine how difficult it is when they have braces!

Kids with braces need to be very careful when brushing and flossing to make sure that they are getting all the food and bacteria out from around their brackets and wires. If braces make teeth cleaning ineffective, it can lead to cavities and gum disease.⁷

With Invisalign First treatment, there are no brackets or wires to trap food — all they have to do is slip off their clear aligners before brushing and flossing, and they are good to go. This makes it much easier for kids to keep their mouths healthy.

Eating

A person sitting at a table with her hand on her chin

Description automatically generated with low confidence

Kids with braces need to be careful about what they eat as certain foods can damage their braces. Foods like hard candy, nuts, and popcorn can break brackets and wires, while sticky foods like caramel can stick to braces and be difficult to remove⁸ .

With Invisalign First treatment, kids don't need to worry about breaking their aligners or getting food stuck in them. They can simply take out their aligners before eating, and pop them back in when they're done. We do recommend though that kids brush their teeth before putting their clear aligners back in.

Aesthetics and Comfort

Metal braces are noticeable, and can make kids feel self-conscious about their smiles. Invisalign First aligners are made from a specialised clear plastic material called SmartTrack material, which is much less noticeable than metal braces.

Invisalign First treatment is also much more comfortable than braces.⁸ Metal braces can rub against the inside of your child's mouth, causing sores and irritation.⁹ Invisalign aligners are made from smooth, comfortable plastic, so they are gentle on the mouth and won't cause much discomfort. The aligners are also specifically designed to fit smaller teeth and with space to accommodate teeth that are growing in – so rest assured that Invisalign treatment will plan for each stage of your child’s growth!

Even better, each Invisalign aligner is specifically moulded and trimmed to your child’s gum line, resulting in more comfort and less gum irritation.¹⁰

When can kids get braces or Invisalign First treatment?

Kids can generally get braces from about ages 9 to 14,¹⁰ or when they start to get their adult teeth. This will of course vary from child to child, so it's always best to consult with an orthodontist about when the best time would be for your child to get braces.

Invisalign First treatment is often a great teeth-straightening solution for kids, and can be used as early as 6 to 10 years old, even with baby teeth. This system is especially made for growing mouths.

The best bit about the Invisalign First system is that as your child's mouth grows, the upcoming aligners are already made to fit their growing mouth structure. With Invisalign First, each new set of aligners takes into account every stage of development of your child’s teeth.

Ultimately, as your child’s teeth straightening journey progresses, each new aligner will be precisely made for emerging teeth, as well as their position, all while providing, optimal comfort.¹⁰

If you're not sure whether braces or Invisalign First treatment is right for your child, the best thing to do is schedule a consultation with an Invisalign-trained orthodontist. They will be able to assess your child's teeth and give you the best advice on what treatment would be most suitable.

You can start today by visiting our Find a Doctor page to book a helpful consultation!