A course of orthodontic treatment will usually only be started after a child’s adult teeth have fully developed.
For most children this will be when they are about 12 or 13 years of age. However, in some cases, problems with a child’s teeth may only become apparent when they are 15 years of age.
In some cases, a child may need to have orthodontic treatment before their adult teeth have fully developed. For example, this could be due to an underlying condition that affects the normal development of their skull, jaw or teeth, such as a cleft lip and palate.
For adults, orthodontic treatment can begin at any age.
Oral hygiene
Orthodontists (healthcare professionals who specialise in orthodontics) will not begin a course of orthodontic treatment until the patient has achieved a good standard of oral hygiene.
The appliances that are used in orthodontics can attract pieces of food, which can make teeth brushing more difficult and increase the risk of tooth decay during treatment. If your oral hygiene is poor and you have a significant level of tooth decay, orthodontic treatment can make these problems much worse.
Maintaining a good standard of oral hygiene during orthodontic treatment will also help to prevent tooth decay.
See the Live Well section about Dental Health for more information and advice.
