When Do Kids Usually Start Braces? Treatment at 11 to 13 and Brushing With Braces

Many kids start full orthodontic treatment at 11 to 13, as the last baby teeth go. Why this age, how brushing and eating change with braces, and what to ask.

In the later elementary years, you start hearing about other kids getting braces. "Should my child start now too?" "Is it too late?" Here's when full orthodontic treatment often starts and why, plus what to keep up at home once braces go on. It's a good one to read with a child who's about to start.

Why do so many kids start at 11 to 13?

Most full orthodontic treatment starts around ages 11 to 13. There are two reasons:

• By this age, nearly all the baby teeth are gone and most permanent teeth are in. With all the permanent teeth that need moving in place, it's a good time to line everything up at once.
• The jaws are still growing. That growth can be put to work too, which makes it a good time to move teeth.

Still, this age is just "when many kids start," not a set time for every child. Jaw shape and how fast teeth come in vary from child to child, so some kids do better with earlier treatment and others with waiting. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check no later than age 7. Checking once early makes it easier to decide when the best time to start would be.

There's one more thing parents should know: brushing shapes the final result. Braces (brackets and wires) trap food, and plaque builds up easily around them. When plaque stays on for a long time, white marks (white spot lesions) can be left around the brackets, or cavities can form. Imagine the teeth lining up beautifully, only to find white marks where the brackets were. That's why keeping teeth clean during treatment matters as much as the treatment itself.

Living with braces

Here's how brushing changes:

1. Brush with fluoride toothpaste after every meal. Send a toothbrush to school too.
2. Angle the brush up and down to clean above and below each bracket separately. Think of it as going all the way around each bracket.
3. Use an interdental brush to clean under the wire and between the brackets.
4. Use a floss threader to get floss under the wire and clean between the teeth.
5. Check in the mirror that no food or plaque is left around the braces.

Be a little careful with food too:

• Avoid sticky candy and hard foods like ice and nuts. They can knock off a bracket or bend a wire.
• Don't bite into hard fruit like whole apples. Cut it into small pieces instead.

For a few days after braces go on or get adjusted, teeth may feel achy and chewing can be uncomfortable. Stick to soft foods like porridge or tofu, and don't skip brushing even when it's sore. If the discomfort lasts, let the orthodontist know.

If something pokes inside the mouth, roll a small ball of orthodontic wax and press it on. If a wire comes loose or a bracket falls off, call the office.

A common mistake is figuring that frequent orthodontic visits will take care of everything and letting the checks at home slide. Orthodontic visits focus on moving teeth, so daily brushing has to be handled at home. Now and then, look in the mirror with your child to check that the area around the braces is clean.

Frequently asked questions

Talk with the dentist when

• You're wondering whether your child needs braces and when to start (get an evaluation)
• A wire comes loose or a bracket falls off
• Something in the braces keeps poking and hurting even with wax
• You see white marks or brown spots around the brackets
• The gums keep swelling and bleeding

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The information in this article is for general educational purposes and does not replace professional dental care. Talk to a dentist about your child's condition.

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