Written by Dr. Smriti Nanda, MDS Orthodontist (University of Health Sciences, Rohtak), MAACD (USA), FRSH (UK) and Invisalign Diamond Provider. In practice since 2012, she sees patients at Nanda Dental Clinic on Golf Course Road, Gurgaon and in Defence Colony, New Delhi. About Dr. Smriti Nanda

Parents often bring their child in when the adult front teeth come through crooked, usually around eight or nine, and ask whether they’ve left it too late. Usually they haven’t. But there is an ideal time for a first look, and it’s earlier than most people expect.

At what age should a child first see an orthodontist?

Around the age of seven. That’s what the American Association of Orthodontists recommends. By seven, the first adult molars and front teeth are usually in, so we can see how the jaws are growing and whether there’s enough room for the rest of the teeth.

Does a check-up at seven mean braces at seven?

Almost never. For most children the first visit is simply a check, and we see them again every six to twelve months as their teeth come in. A small number benefit from early treatment, for example a crossbite, severe crowding, front teeth that stick out and are at risk of injury, or a thumb-sucking habit that’s affecting the bite. Catching these early can make later treatment simpler.

What signs should parents watch for?

Baby teeth falling out much earlier or later than usual, crowded or overlapping teeth, top and bottom teeth that don’t meet properly, a jaw that shifts to one side when your child bites, frequent mouth breathing, and thumb or finger sucking that continues past about five. None of these is an emergency, but each is worth an orthodontic opinion.

When do most children actually start braces?

Typically somewhere between about eleven and fourteen, once most of the adult teeth have come through. The exact timing depends on how your child is growing, and that’s exactly why the earlier check-ups help: we can plan the right moment rather than guess.

Braces or Invisalign for a teenager?

Both work well for teenagers. Invisalign suits teens who will reliably wear the aligners twenty to twenty-two hours a day. Metal braces work around the clock no matter what, which some parents prefer. At our clinic metal braces start at ₹80,000 and Invisalign usually ranges from ₹1.5 lakh to ₹3 lakh. We’ll talk through which one fits your child, not just their teeth.

Our Golf Course Road clinic in Gurgaon has a dedicated children’s treatment room, and we also see children in Defence Colony, Delhi. To book a first orthodontic check, message us on WhatsApp at +91 98219 58877.