Kids Orthodontics

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic evaluation around age seven. At that age, enough permanent teeth have come in for us to get a meaningful look at how the bite is developing, even if most baby teeth are still present.

Early evaluation does not always mean early treatment. In many cases, we simply monitor a child’s growth and check in periodically until the right window opens. But when we do spot something that benefits from early intervention, addressing it at the right time can shorten treatment later, reduce complexity, and sometimes prevent the need for more significant procedures down the road.

Signs that suggest it is worth scheduling an evaluation include:

• Crowded or overlapping teeth
• Early or delayed loss of baby teeth
• Teeth that do not come together properly when biting
• Mouth breathing or speech concerns related to jaw position
• Crossbite, underbite, or noticeable overbite

If you have noticed any of these, an exam gives you a clear answer rather than a guess.

Braces work by applying controlled, steady pressure to guide teeth into better positions over time. For kids and younger teens, treatment also takes advantage of ongoing jaw growth, which can make certain corrections easier to achieve than in adulthood.

Kids’ braces are effective for a wide range of issues, including crowding, spacing, crossbites, overbites, underbites, and bite irregularities that affect chewing or jaw comfort. Dr. Abraham McKay reviews each child’s records carefully before recommending a course of action, ensuring the plan reflects what is actually going on rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Your child’s first appointment is focused on gathering information and conversation, not on pressure. We take X-rays, photographs, and digital records to get a full picture of tooth positions and jaw development. From there, we walk through what we found, what we recommend, and why.

If treatment is appropriate now, we outline the steps and provide a realistic timeline. If we recommend waiting and monitoring, we explain what we are watching for and when we expect to revisit the question. Either way, you leave the appointment with a clear plan rather than a pile of unanswered questions.

Most children with braces use metal brackets, and for good reason. Metal brackets are durable, handle a wide range of tooth movements, and withstand the wear and tear of active kids. They are also the most straightforward option for cleaning and maintenance.

For older kids or teens who are particularly self-conscious about their appearance during treatment, clear ceramic brackets are worth discussing. They blend with the tooth color and are far less noticeable, though they do require a bit more attention to cleaning. We go over both options at the consultation and factor in your child’s habits, age, and case complexity before making a recommendation.

Braces require more effort at home than most kids anticipate, and setting good habits early makes a real difference in how treatment goes.

We teach brushing and flossing techniques that accommodate brackets and wires so teeth stay clean and healthy throughout treatment. We also go over which foods to avoid. Hard, sticky, or crunchy foods are the most common cause of loose brackets, and a broken bracket can delay treatment. Cutting food into smaller pieces and skipping the obvious offenders is usually enough to keep things on track.

If a bracket comes loose or a wire starts to irritate, we are easy to reach and can usually help you quickly determine whether it needs an immediate visit or can wait until the next scheduled appointment.

Treatment length depends on what needs to be corrected and how much jaw growth is still happening. Early interceptive treatment, when indicated, often runs six to eighteen months and targets a specific problem rather than full alignment. Comprehensive treatment, which addresses the full bite and tooth positions, typically takes between eighteen and thirty months.

We give honest estimates at the start and keep you updated throughout so you always know where things stand.

Our office in Ogden offers scheduling that works around school hours, so appointments do not have to mean missed class time. If you have questions about timing, bracket options, costs, or what daily life looks like during treatment, bring them to the consultation, and we will work through them together.

Call us to schedule your child’s evaluation, or use the contact form on our website to request an appointment at a time that works for your family.