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Braces For Kids: A Guide For Parents

Home » Blog » Braces For Kids: A Guide For Parents

kids smiling

As a parent, you have experienced watching your child grow from a tiny baby into a little person. From a gummy infant smile, to teething, to losing a first tooth, there are many milestones in the evolution of a child’s smile.

A similar rite of passage for many, braces are a clear indication that your child is getting older, growing into their smile, and making an investment in the future of their oral care and overall dental health.

While you may have been wondering for years now when the time for braces may come, you are not alone! Your orthodontists at Craig & Streight are here to guide you through the entire process, and answer any questions you have along the way.

To find out whether braces are right for your child, you can schedule an initial consultation with our office. During this consultation with an orthodontist, we can get to know you and your child better, and assess the best course of action for his or her smile.

Until then, we have created a guide to help you decide when the time is right to consider braces.

At What Age Should My Child See the Orthodontist?

It is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists that kids have their first appointment when they turn seven years old.

Why So Early?

It may seem early, as many typically think of braces as a staple among the junior high school crowd, but the timing is just right.

Even though your child may still have most of his or her baby teeth, seven years of age is before your child’s smile will be fully developed. While your child’s teeth may seem straight, your orthodontist can detect any underlying alignment issues, such as an over or underbite, crowded teeth that leave less room for larger permanent teeth, or inconsistencies between the upper and lower jaws.

Bringing your child in for his or her first appointment around the age of seven helps detect problems early, and allows your orthodontist to plan a remedy for any issues before they progress.

When Will My Child Begin Wearing Braces?

While seven years old is a good time for a first consultation, it isn’t necessarily the best time for braces to come into your lives.

If braces are recommended as your child’s course of treatment, it is likely they will not go on until your child’s 12-year molars have begun to grow. Sometimes, these molars can cause crowding among teeth; it can be hard for kids who have braces, then their molars come in, and their nice smile becomes crowded. Instead, we like to wait and see how their smile is affected once these molars arrive.

How Long Will My Child Wear Braces?

As is the case with all patients, no smile is the same. It is difficult to give a specific amount of time children will wear braces, without knowing any issues they currently have or will develop.

That said, there are some basic estimations, depending on how complex the issues are. For some patients, braces come off in a little over a year; for others, they can stay on for two and a half years, and sometimes longer.

After braces are removed, it is almost always the case that additional orthodontic care will be required, typically in the form of a retainer. This retainer continues the work that braces did, while also keeping your child’s smile in line as their bodies and facial structures continue to grow and develop.

As the parent, it is imperative that you encourage your child to wear their retainer as often as the orthodontist recommends. To avoid getting braces again, wearing a retainer is the way to go!

What Are My Child’s Options For Braces?

At Craig & Streight, our team stays on the forefront of orthodontic technology, always looking for ways to make your visit better. This extends to the offerings we provide for braces.

It is most common for kids to choose traditional, metal braces. Not only are these the most standard types of braces, they can be a bit more fun for kids. At each appointment, your child can select new, colorful bands to brighten their smile.

For older kids and teens, there are other options that are not quite as noticeable. Ceramic braces, or porcelain braces, use the same bracket technology as traditional metal braces, but blend into teeth with a neutral, rather than silver, color.

Yet another option for teenagers is Invisalign, which has become incredibly popular among teens and even adults. Invisalign straightens teeth with a series of clear aligners, which are removable and less cumbersome to maintain than brackets.

When the time comes for your child to get braces, your orthodontist will work with you to determine which type of braces will be best.

Braces For Kids In Oklahoma

The Craig & Streight team knows that juggling orthodontist appointments in your child’s busy schedule can be a challenge, and we are here to help! With three convenient locations in the Oklahoma City area, our offices are open throughout the week to help your child get the orthodontic care they need.

To schedule an appointment for your child, please contact us today. We look forward to being part of your family’s life and your child’s journey to a beautiful smile!

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Patient Testimonials

Hear what Our Patients Are Saying About
Their Experience With Us

Jessica C.
Absolutely loved the atmosphere of this office! Every single interaction we had was nothing short of superb! So thankful to have found a great orthodontist to work with over the next couple years!
Barbara F.
My only issue with today’s appointment was the 30 minute I had to be seen. Once I was called back, my hygienist was calm and considerate and showed me how to use my Invisalign.
John N.
Great place with excellent service for kids, but the wait was too long.
Response from the owner:Thank you for taking the time to leave us a great 5-star review!
Lillian Maxey (.
awesome staff! so sweet and helpful and had a great experience with my invisalign and them!
Response from the owner:Hi Lillie. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team made such a positive impact during your Invisalign journey. Your kind words motivate us to continue providing exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you again!
Ladan M.
We had a great experience. Professional and caring personnel and super amazing Dr. Straight made it an easy choice to work with.
Response from the owner:Hi Ladan. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team, including Dr. Streight, made such a positive impact. Your feedback inspires us to continue providing exceptional care. We look forward to seeing you again!
Kelly P.
Just started my fourth kid in treatment today. No where else we would go…from the front desk gals, fresh coffee for this tired momma, the hygienist, the dentists…it’s always been a great experience. Wonderful staff making amazing smiles!!!
Response from the owner:Hi Kelly. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family feel at home with us. Our team is dedicated to creating a positive environment, and it’s great to know that our efforts are making a difference. We look forward to continuing to support your family's journey to amazing smiles!
Artoya
Staff and the doctor were very friendly and they explained everything in detail.
Response from the owner:Hey Artoya. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that our team provided friendly service and thorough explanations. Your experience is important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share it!
David B.
Took my twin girls in for braces today and we had an amazing experience. The entire staff went out of their way to answer all of our questions and they were so sweet with the girls. The girls left with new braces and big smiles and I left with confidence in my desicion. I highly recommend them!
Response from the owner:Hi David. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience with us! We're thrilled to hear that our team made such a positive impact on you and your daughters. It's great to know that everyone left with smiles and confidence. Your recommendation means a lot to us, and we look forward to continuing to provide excellent care for your family!
Melissa M.
We love Craig & Streight! They have always been so friendly and helpful!
Response from the owner:Hi Melissa. Thank you for your fantastic feedback! We're so glad to hear that you love our team at Craig & Streight. Providing friendly and helpful service is our priority, and your kind words inspire us to keep delivering the best experience possible!
Chuck K.
I've had nothing but the best-ever experience at CSO; from check-in to the clinics, the staff is all one one page, professional and SO very friendly. They're living the corporate ethos, and it shows! If you need orthodontics, it's CSO for me from now on!
Tiffany R.
The greatest staff and doctors! They made a challenging situation so much easier. Huge hearts, professional and went above and beyond. I’m so appreciative.
Response from the owner:Hi Tiffany. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our team was able to make a challenging situation more manageable for you. Our staff is dedicated to providing compassionate and professional care, and it's heartwarming to know their efforts made a positive impact. We truly appreciate your kind words!
Vielje G.
Love the service, staffs are very friendly and approachable and always on point with their work.
Response from the owner:Hey Vielje. Thank you for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Providing friendly and attentive service is what we strive for, and your feedback truly motivates us to keep up the great work!
Kari C.
This is our second child receiving braces at Craig & Streight and we could not be happier. The staff is kind, efficient, and happy to answer all of our questions.
Response from the owner:Hi Kari. Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that you and your family are so pleased with the care your children are receiving. Our team is dedicated to providing a supportive and informative environment, and it’s great to know that their efforts are making a positive impact. We appreciate your trust in us!
Michael T.
Everyone at the Mustang location is amazing... They are always polite and know exactly what they are supposed to do... Very professional... I have and will continue to refer people to use Craig and Streight Orthodontics...
Response from the owner:Hi Michael. Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our Mustang team has made such a positive impression on you. Your referrals mean a lot to us, and we’re dedicated to maintaining the high standards of professionalism and care that you’ve experienced. We appreciate your support!
Lacey C.
Friendly, explained everything well, felt very comfortable there. Had great games for the kids while waiting.
Response from the owner:Hi Lacey. Thank you for sharing your experience! We're delighted to hear that you felt comfortable and that our team took the time to explain everything. It's great to know the kids enjoyed the games while waiting. We appreciate your feedback and look forward to seeing you again!

Our locations

Norman Office

706 24th Ave NW
Norman, OK 73069

Mustang Office

1476 N Mustang Rd
Mustang, OK 73064

South Oklahoma City

12100 S Western Ave
Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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Norman, OK 73069

1476 N. Mustang Rd.
Mustang, OK 73064
12100 S Western Ave Oklahoma City, OK 73170

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