What Happens If My Child Doesn’t Get Braces? Long-Term Dental Health Risks

What Happens If My Child Doesn’t Get Braces?

Many parents ask, what happens if my child doesn’t get braces and whether orthodontic treatment can safely wait until they are older. While some spacing issues are normal during mixed dentition, most orthodontic problems do not correct themselves over time.

While some spacing and shifting are normal, many orthodontic problems do not correct themselves over time. In fact, untreated misalignment can lead to long-term dental and health complications that affect chewing, speech, appearance, confidence, and oral hygiene.

This guide explains what happens if children who need braces never receive them, how to recognize early signs of orthodontic issues, and why early orthodontic evaluation matters.

Why Children Need Braces in the First Place

Braces are recommended when there is a functional or developmental issue with the teeth or jaws. The primary goals of orthodontic treatment are:

• Correcting bite alignment (how the upper and lower teeth fit together)

• Improving chewing efficiency and digestion

• Preventing uneven tooth wear

• Supporting clear speech development

• Creating ideal spacing for adult teeth to erupt

• Improving oral hygiene by reducing tight spaces that trap bacteria
  

Common orthodontic problems in children include:

• Crowding

• Spacing or gaps

• Overbite

• Underbite

• Crossbite

• Open bite

• Protruding teeth

• Impacted or partially erupted teeth
  

Some of these issues are inherited, while others develop due to habits such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking, prolonged bottle use, or tongue thrusting.

Without orthodontic correction, these problems often worsen with age rather than improve.

Risks of Not Getting Braces When Needed

If a child needs orthodontic treatment but never receives it, there can be consequences that impact their oral health and quality of life well into adulthood. Below are the most common long-term risks.

1. Crowding Leads to Poor Oral Hygiene and Cavities

Crowded or overlapping teeth make brushing and flossing more difficult. When food and bacteria collect in tight spaces, children are more likely to develop:

• Tooth decay

• Gum inflammation (gingivitis)

• Plaque and tartar buildup

• Bad breath (halitosis)
  

Studies show that misaligned teeth are harder to clean effectively, which increases cavity risk both in childhood and adulthood. Left untreated, this can progress into periodontal disease and tooth loss later in life.

2. Untreated Bite Issues Can Cause Pain and Jaw Problems

Many orthodontic problems are actually skeletal, meaning they involve the jaw rather than just the teeth. A misaligned bite can cause functional issues such as:

• TMJ pain or clicking

• Headaches

• Jaw fatigue

• Tooth grinding (bruxism)

• Clenching during sleep

• Difficulty chewing harder foods
  

Over time, uneven pressure on the teeth can result in:

• Cracked teeth

• Worn enamel

• Tooth sensitivity

• Chronic jaw discomfort
  

These problems often require restorative care later, including crowns, night guards, or even surgery.

3. Speech Development Can Be Affected

Teeth and jaw positioning play a critical role in speech. When teeth are significantly misaligned, children may struggle with:

• Pronouncing certain sounds (especially S, T, F, and TH)

• Lisping

• Articulation issues

• Delayed speech development
  

While speech therapy can help, underlying orthodontic problems often need correction for long-term improvement.

4. Chewing and Digestion May Be Impacted

Chewing is the first step of digestion. When teeth do not align properly, children may:

• Avoid certain textures or foods

• Swallow larger pieces without breaking them down

• Experience gas or stomach discomfort

• Become picky eaters due to discomfort
  

Over time, improper chewing can lead to nutritional gaps or digestive issues, particularly if children avoid healthy but harder-to-chew foods like meats, raw vegetables, or nuts.

5. Baby Teeth May Fall Out Too Early or Too Late

Orthodontic issues often affect how and when baby teeth are lost. Without proper spacing:

• Baby teeth may fall out prematurely, allowing other teeth to shift into the wrong space

• Baby teeth may remain too long, blocking adult teeth from erupting

• Adult teeth may become impacted (stuck under gums)
  

Impacted teeth frequently require extraction, surgical exposure, or more complex orthodontic treatment later in life.

6. Adult Teeth May Erupt Crooked or Impacted

When early orthodontic issues are ignored, adult teeth often erupt in problematic positions. This can lead to:

• Severe crowding

• Canine impaction

• Teeth erupting behind or in front of the arch

• Need for future extractions
  

One of the most common issues is impacted canines, which often require surgery and braces in the teenage years if not addressed early.

7. Aesthetic Concerns and Confidence Issues

Dental appearance plays a larger role in self-esteem than many parents realize, especially during adolescence. Children with noticeable misalignment may experience:

• Self-consciousness about smiling

• Teasing or social anxiety

• Avoiding photos

• Hesitation speaking or laughing in public
  

While aesthetics should not be the only reason for orthodontic treatment, confidence and mental well-being are important considerations.

8. Future Orthodontic Treatment Becomes Longer and More Expensive

One of the biggest misconceptions is that it is cheaper to “wait until all the adult teeth are in.” In reality, treating orthodontic problems earlier can prevent more complex interventions later.

Without early evaluation, children may eventually require:

• Tooth extractions

• Jaw surgery

• Palatal expansion

• Longer periods in braces

• More advanced appliances
  

Early intervention is often faster, more comfortable, and less costly.

Can Crooked Teeth Fix Themselves?

This is a common question among parents. While some spacing issues correct naturally as jaws grow, most of the following do not resolve without treatment:

• Crowding

• Overbite

• Underbite

• Crossbite

• Open bite

• Impacted teeth

• Deep bite

• Jaw discrepancies
  

In fact, many of these conditions worsen as children age and adult teeth emerge.

When Should Children Be Evaluated for Orthodontic Treatment?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children get their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7, even if they still have baby teeth.

At this stage, a pediatric dentist or orthodontist can:

• Monitor jaw growth

• Check bite alignment

• Identify emerging spacing issues

• Detect skeletal problems early

• Determine the best timing for braces or interceptive treatment
  

Not every child needs braces at age 7, but early evaluation provides the best opportunity to guide jaw growth and tooth development.

Early Orthodontic Intervention: What It Is and Why It Matters

Early orthodontic treatment, also called Phase I treatment, is designed to address problems before they become more complex. Examples include:

• Palatal expanders

• Partial braces

• Space maintainers

• Functional appliances

• Habit correction appliances (thumb sucking, tongue thrusting)

• Guided eruption strategies
  

These tools help create space for adult teeth, correct bite issues, and reduce the need for extractions or surgery later.

Phase II treatment (full braces or clear aligners) may follow during the teenage years once all adult teeth have erupted.

How to Know If Your Child May Need Braces

Parents should watch for these warning signs:

• Upper or lower teeth protrude

• Jaws that shift or click

• Mouth breathing

• Thumb sucking beyond age 4–5

• Speech difficulties

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• Crowded or overlapping teeth

• Gaps between teeth

• Underbite, overbite, or crossbite

• Difficulty chewing

• Teeth grinding

• Snoring or sleep disturbances
  

Even if symptoms seem mild, evaluation helps determine whether problems are skeletal (jaw-related) or dental (tooth-related).

What If a Child Truly Doesn’t Need Braces?

Not all children require orthodontic treatment. Some will have:

• Proper spacing

• Good jaw alignment

• Normal bite function

• Minimal crowding
  

In these cases, dentists will simply continue monitoring development during routine visits. The key is identifying who does and does not need treatment through proper evaluation.

Final Thoughts: Early Orthodontic Evaluation Protects Your Child’s Long-Term Health

Choosing not to address orthodontic issues can lead to long-term consequences involving oral hygiene, jaw function, confidence, speech, and overall health. The safest approach is having children evaluated early, even if treatment is not immediately required.

If you are unsure whether your child needs braces, the best next step is a professional orthodontic assessment. Early guidance prevents small issues from becoming serious ones, and ensures children can speak, chew, and smile comfortably as they grow.

To schedule an orthodontic evaluation or learn more about braces for kids, contact our office. Our team provides gentle, child-centered care and honest guidance based on each child’s unique needs.