Last updated 13 June 2026 · Written by Dr Jack Gaffey, a general dentist with a special interest in orthodontics · Sources: the Australian Society of Orthodontists, the American Association of Orthodontists and healthdirect, checked June 2026.
Most children who need braces get them between about 10 and 14 — but the first orthodontic check-up should happen earlier, by about age 7. That early check rarely means braces at 7. Usually it means monitoring as the adult teeth come through, and occasionally a short course of early treatment to guide the jaw while it is still growing. The right time depends on the individual child, not a fixed birthday — so the real answer is an assessment, not an age. This guide explains why age 7 matters, what an early visit actually involves, the warning signs not to wait on, who should treat your child, and how long treatment takes.
The short answer
- First orthodontic check-up: by about age 7. The Australian Society of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists both recommend it, because by then the first adult molars and front teeth are usually through.
- Most braces: around 10 to 14. That is when most of the permanent teeth have come in and full (“comprehensive”) treatment usually happens.
- A check-up at 7 is not braces at 7. For most children it leads to monitoring; only some need early treatment between about 7 and 10.
- Some signs mean don’t wait for 7 — see the list below. You do not need a referral to have your child assessed.
- Typical treatment time is about 18 to 24 months for comprehensive braces, and shorter for early treatment.
Why age 7 for a first check-up?
By around age 7 most children have a mix of baby and adult teeth, and the first permanent molars and front teeth have usually come through. That mixture is exactly what makes an early look useful: it lets a dentist or orthodontist see how the bite is forming and how the jaws are growing, and spot developing problems — crowding, a crossbite, an underbite, protruding front teeth — while the jaw is still growing and easiest to guide. It does not mean your child is “behind” or needs treatment now; it means problems can be caught at the point they are simplest to manage.
Does a check-up at 7 mean braces at 7?
No — and this is the part that reassures most parents. For the majority of children, an early assessment leads to monitoring: the dentist or orthodontist keeps an eye on development and recommends the best time to act, which is often years away. Only a smaller group benefit from early treatment now. The point of going early is not to start braces sooner; it is to start them at the right time, and sometimes to avoid more complex treatment later.
Early (“Phase 1”) treatment: who it actually helps
Early treatment usually happens between about 7 and 10, while a child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth and the jaw is growing. It is not for everyone — it is aimed at specific problems where acting early genuinely helps, such as:
- widening a narrow upper jaw, or correcting a crossbite or underbite;
- creating space so adult teeth have room to come through;
- protecting prominent front teeth that are at risk of being chipped or knocked;
- managing habits such as thumb or finger sucking that are affecting the bite.
An early course is typically short — often around 10 to 15 months — and is usually followed by a period of monitoring before any later treatment. Orthodontic bodies note that, in the right cases, guiding growth early can reduce the chance of more complex treatment, and sometimes of tooth removal or jaw surgery, later — though every child is different and none of this is guaranteed. Early growth-guidance treatment is also the kind of case that is often best handled by a specialist orthodontist — more on choosing below.
When do most kids actually get braces?
For most children, the main event comes later — roughly ages 10 to 14 — once most of the permanent teeth are through. This is “comprehensive” treatment: braces or clear aligners to align the teeth and correct the bite, usually over about 18 to 24 months. Plenty of children who are checked at 7 simply wait until this stage, with nothing needed in between except the occasional review.
Signs your child should be assessed sooner
You don’t have to wait for the age-7 milestone. Mention any of these to your dentist, or book an orthodontic assessment:
- losing baby teeth much earlier or later than usual;
- difficulty chewing or biting;
- mouth breathing or snoring;
- thumb or finger sucking past about age 5;
- crowded, blocked-out or protruding front teeth;
- a jaw that shifts, clicks, or looks off-centre when biting;
- upper and lower teeth that don’t meet properly (a crossbite or open bite).
Dentist or orthodontist for my child?
Both can be the right answer, depending on the case. Orthodontics sits within the scope of a general dentist who is trained and competent in it, and for straightforward cases a general dentist with a special interest in orthodontics can be a more affordable option. Early growth-guidance treatment in young children, and complex bite or jaw problems, are often best handled by a specialist orthodontist — and a responsible general dentist refers those cases on. You don’t need a referral to see either. We’ve set this out in full in our guide to whether you need a specialist orthodontist for braces.
What do children’s braces cost?
The same as for an adult. There is no cheaper “kids tier”, because a child’s braces use the same brackets, appointments and treatment time. At Cumberland Dental that means $7,500 — about $58 a week, interest-free — the same price for kids, teens and adults, with the first consultation free. For the full breakdown — what’s included, the “cheap kids braces” phase-1 price trap, the sibling and pay-in-full discounts, and what Medicare, the CDBS and health funds do and don’t pay — see our dedicated guide to how much braces cost for kids.
How we work at Cumberland Dental
Treatment is provided by Dr Jack Gaffey, a general dentist with a special interest in orthodontics since 2011 and a former President of the Australian Dental Association (SA Branch). Your child’s first consultation is free, and its job is to tell you the truth: whether anything needs doing now, when the right time to treat is likely to be, and — if your child would be better served by early specialist care — to say so and refer you. “Monitor and review” is a completely normal, and welcome, outcome.
Call (08) 8271 6233 to book a free assessment at 376 Goodwood Rd, Cumberland Park.
Frequently asked questions
What age should a child get braces?
Most children who need braces get them between about 10 and 14, once most of the adult teeth have come through. The first orthodontic check-up, however, should happen earlier: leading orthodontic bodies recommend it by about age 7. That early check usually leads to monitoring rather than immediate braces, and only some children need short early treatment while the jaw is still growing. The right age depends on the individual child, which is why an assessment, not a fixed age, is the real answer.
When should my child first see an orthodontist?
The Australian Society of Orthodontists and the American Association of Orthodontists both recommend a first orthodontic check-up by about age 7. By then a child usually has a mix of baby and adult teeth, and the first permanent molars and front teeth have come through, which lets a dentist or orthodontist see how the bite and jaws are developing. You do not need a referral, and if you notice a problem earlier you do not need to wait until age 7.
Does a check-up at age 7 mean braces straight away?
Usually not. For most children the age-7 check leads to simple monitoring as the adult teeth come through. A smaller number benefit from early treatment between about 7 and 10, for example to widen a narrow upper jaw, correct a crossbite or underbite, create space, or protect prominent front teeth from damage. Many children who are checked early do not start braces until they are 11 to 14.
What are the signs my child needs to see an orthodontist?
Signs worth an assessment include losing baby teeth much earlier or later than usual, difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing or snoring, thumb or finger sucking past about age 5, crowded or protruding front teeth, a jaw that shifts or clicks, or upper and lower teeth that do not meet properly (a crossbite). If you notice any of these, mention them to your dentist or book an orthodontic assessment rather than waiting.
Can a general dentist treat children’s braces, or do we need a specialist?
Both can be appropriate. Orthodontics is within a general dentist’s scope when they are trained and competent in it, and a general dentist with a special interest can be a more affordable option for straightforward cases. Early growth-guidance treatment in young children and complex bite or jaw problems are often best handled by a specialist orthodontist, who a responsible dentist will refer to. We explain how to choose in our guide on whether you need a specialist orthodontist for braces.
How long do braces take for a child?
Comprehensive braces for a child usually take about 18 to 24 months, though it depends on the case. Early (Phase 1) treatment, when it is needed, is shorter — often around 10 to 15 months — and is followed by a period of monitoring before any later treatment. Your dentist or orthodontist will estimate the likely timeline for your child at the first assessment, because crowding, bite and how the jaw is growing all affect how long treatment takes.
Sources
- Australian Society of Orthodontists — first assessment timing for children
- American Association of Orthodontists — first check-up by age 7 and early warning signs
- healthdirect — the role of an orthodontist (no referral required)
About the author: Dr Jack Gaffey is a general dentist with a special interest in orthodontics, treating orthodontic patients in Adelaide since 2011. He is a former President of the Australian Dental Association (SA Branch). This article is general information, not personal advice; whether and when your child needs treatment can only be determined by a clinical assessment.
