My daughter's dentist mentioned she might need braces eventually, but he was kinda vague about when exactly we should start looking into it. She's 7 now, and I'm wondering if that's too early or if waiting longer could cause problems later on. I mean, I got braces at like 13, but maybe things have changed since then? If anyone's been through this recently with their kids, I'd really appreciate some insight or advice...
Seven might seem early, but honestly, orthodontists these days often recommend an evaluation around that age. My niece got checked at 7, and they caught some jaw alignment issues early enough to start gentle interventions. It ended up making her actual braces phase shorter and easier later on. But every kid's different, so maybe getting a consult from an orthodontist (not just the dentist) could clear things up. Did your dentist mention any specific concerns like crowding or bite issues...?
We had a similar experience—our dentist said wait till 10 or 11, but the orthodontist recommended an evaluation at around 8. Turned out my daughter had some subtle bite issues that were easier to handle early. Always worth getting another opinion if you're unsure...
Interesting point about subtle bite issues—makes me wonder if early intervention could also shorten the overall treatment time later on, or does it end up being about the same anyway? Curious if anyone's orthodontist mentioned that aspect...
