It used to be easy to know when to consider braces. If your child’s adult teeth came in crooked or overcrowded, you’d usually wait until most or all of them were through before seeing an orthodontist. Often, the advice was to hold off on treatment until the teenage years – because there wasn’t much that could be done before then anyway.
But modern orthodontics has changed dramatically. Today many children are being assessed – and in some cases treated – as early as age seven. And there’s a good reason for that. The earlier children are seen, the more orthodontists can take advantage of their rapid growth and gently guide it in a more favourable direction. In many cases, this early intervention can help avoid the need for more complex procedures later in life – like extractions or even jaw surgery.
With up to one in three Irish children expected to need orthodontic treatment at some point, it makes sense to make sure they’re assessed at the right age. In fact, many orthodontists now recommend a first visit between ages seven and nine – a window where a mixture of baby and adult teeth is typically present. It’s not about putting braces on young children unnecessarily. Rather, it’s about spotting potential problems early – and sometimes, solving them before they ever become visible.
What is early orthodontics?
Early orthodontics – also called interceptive orthodontics – focuses on identifying and treating developmental issues in the teeth, jaws or face at a young age, often between ages seven and nine. At this stage, a child typically has a combination of baby and adult teeth, and the jaw is still growing rapidly.
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Rather than waiting for all the adult teeth to come in, early orthodontics looks at the bigger picture: how the jaws are developing, whether the teeth have enough space and whether habits like thumb sucking or mouth breathing might be affecting facial growth.
Sometimes treatment at this age might involve a simple removable appliance to widen the upper jaw, correct a crossbite or create space for adult teeth to come in naturally. It’s typically a light-touch approach, designed to work with the child’s natural growth rather than against it.
Why earlier is sometimes better
Orthodontics today isn’t just about straight teeth – it’s about facial development, breathing and long-term health. Children’s faces grow dramatically between the ages of seven and 10, and that growth can be guided if issues are caught early. Every child should be assessed at age eight by a specialist orthodontist, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. This allows for proper diagnosis of facial growth and dental development.
For example, a child with a very narrow upper jaw might develop crowded teeth, crossbites, or even breathing issues later on. If identified early, a simple expander can help widen the palate, improving both the smile and the airway. In many cases, this can prevent the need for tooth extractions later.
One child at our clinic, Ella, came in at age eight with a deep overbite and crowded upper teeth. She was also waking frequently at night and had difficulty concentrating at school. A short course of early treatment helped guide her jaw forward, improve her bite, and – most unexpectedly – improved her sleep. Her parents later told us that her mood and school performance improved within months. Orthodontics had changed more than just her smile.
The problems we’re seeing more often
We’re seeing more narrow jaws, crowded teeth and poor oral habits than ever before – and much of it is tied to lifestyle. Thumb sucking and extended dummy use are still common but newer issues are also emerging: increased screen time, reduced physical activity and diets made up of soft, processed foods can all impact facial and dental development.
Another growing concern is mouth breathing, which often goes unnoticed. Children who sleep with their mouths open or breathe noisily at night may be suffering from airway obstruction. Left untreated, this can impact not just the shape of the face and jaws, but also behaviour, sleep and even academic performance.
Orthodontists today are trained to spot the signs of these developmental issues early. Sometimes the solution might not even involve braces – it could mean referring to an ENT specialist or speech therapist to address a breathing or tongue function issue first.
How Irish orthodontic thinking has changed
Two decades ago, the standard approach in Ireland was to wait until all the adult teeth were in – typically around ages 12 to 14 – and then begin treatment. The idea was that nothing meaningful could be done before then.
That thinking has shifted. With better understanding of growth patterns and a broader range of treatment tools available, the focus is now on prevention as much as correction.
Newer options like Invisalign First – a clear aligner system designed specifically for young children – have made early orthodontics more comfortable, discreet and acceptable to kids. They’re practically invisible, easy to wear and don’t carry the social stigma some kids feel with traditional metal braces.
“The recent introduction of digital technology in the form of clear aligners for this seven- to 10-year-old cohort is a significant milestone in Modern Orthodontics,” says Jim Griffin, specialist orthodontist at Seapoint Clinic, “and allows successful interventions in this age group.”
What parents should watch out for
Sometimes it’s obvious to a parent that braces will be needed. Severe crowding or prominent teeth can be easy to spot. But many orthodontic problems are skeletal in nature – they involve the position or growth of the jawbones – and can be invisible to the untrained eye.
Crossbites, where the upper and lower jaws don’t align properly, or upper canine teeth growing too high in the gums, are examples of issues that benefit enormously from early intervention. For instance, if a baby canine is removed at just the right time, it can guide an adult canine into its proper place and avoid the need for future surgery to expose it.
With complimentary early screenings available, there’s little reason to leave this to chance. Catching a developing problem early can make a huge difference – both in terms of cost and complexity.
”Early orthodontic treatment not only improves oral health, says Alessandra Barbedo, an orthodontist at Seapoint Clinic, “but also boosts a child’s confidence.”
Misconceptions and fears
Understandably, some parents worry that starting early means paying for two rounds of braces. But that’s very rarely the case. Early treatment is often a short, simple intervention – not a full set of braces. In fact, it’s typically just a small part of the overall orthodontic cost, but it can make a big difference to the final outcome.
Think of it like guiding a young sapling with a stake so it grows straight. It’s much easier – and healthier – than trying to fix a crooked tree years later.
If your child is between the ages of seven and nine, it’s worth scheduling an orthodontic screening – even if their teeth look straight. Many children won’t need any treatment at this age, but for those who do, early intervention can be life-changing.
It’s not just about straighter teeth, it’s about improved breathing, better sleep, healthier development and a confident smile that grows with your child.
Arrange your complimentary orthodontic screening at seapointclinic.ie. Seapoint Clinic has two clinics covering South Dublin, in Blackrock and Sandyford. The clinics can be reached at 01 284 2570
