When should children wear braces?

BarcelonaThe 2025 Oral Health Barometer in Spain indicates that orthodontics is the tenth most common treatment among the Spanish population. For children, it is a key treatment, "especially for those in their growing years, who are replacing temporary teeth with permanent ones," notes Dr. Manuel Poveda, founder and clinical director of QuickSmile. The benefits range from correcting bone asymmetries in the maxilla and mandible to improving chewing habits.

At what age is it recommended to start orthodontic treatment?

By age six, Poveda says, we can already see "the replacement of some teeth, such as the upper or lower incisors, as well as the eruption of the first molar." We can also assess, he continues, whether there are any dental problems and how the child bites and chews. This would therefore be a good time to begin treatment, if necessary.

What problems can it help improve?

Thanks to orthodontic treatments, habits such as finger sucking, mouth breathing, and interpositional breathing can be corrected. Poveda emphasizes how they help "prevent more serious bone problems and even the onset of sleep apnea in the future." This wide range of possibilities makes orthodontic treatment very important during childhood because, as the clinical director of QuickSmile points out, "it doesn't just move teeth as it does in adults, but also promotes bone growth."

What impact does it have on a child's social and phonetic development?

Here, Poveda clarifies, a distinction needs to be made. If we want to perform orthopedics with traditional braces, they cover the palate, while with invisible orthodontics (made of plastic), the palate is less occupied, so "on a phonetic and social level, they are more comfortable and discreet for children, and they cause fewer phonation problems in everyday life."

Are invisible braces also recommended for children?

"It seems that invisible orthodontics is only aimed at adults because it's more aesthetically pleasing, but it's also a great benefit for children with speech problems," says Poveda.

What role or support should the minor's family play?

Poveda points out that, in the case of invisible orthodontics, since they are removable, "greater cooperation is required from both children and their parents to ensure they wear the aligner." However, the dentist welcomes the fact that, "in general, families are involved in their children's orthodontic treatment."