Back to School with a Better Smile: Orthodontic Treatment Before September

Choosing to have orthodontic treatment before school returns in September gives children weeks to adjust to new braces or retainers while they’re still on summer holiday, away from packed timetables and rushed mornings. For many families at our practice, late summer has become the perfect time to book back to school braces appointments: scans, consultations and that first fitting can all happen before homework, sports and early starts take over again.

Once term starts, it’s easy to see why orthodontic care slips down the list. Parents are busy hunting for the right size blazer, labelling pencil cases and working out the school run rota. So a dental check-up or orthodontic assessment can feel like one task too many in August.

Starting treatment now, rather than waiting for the new term, gives your child time to get used to brushing around brackets, eating differently for a few days and simply living with a new appliance. Here’s what to know about timing, the right age to start, treatment options for teenagers and how to get ready for the new term.

Why summer is the best time to start orthodontic treatment

Starting orthodontic treatment during the summer holidays means more flexible appointment times, a calmer environment for managing any early soreness, and time to settle into a new oral hygiene routine before lessons resume. Booking early also avoids the rush that builds every August, when dental clinics across the UK see a sharp rise in requests for back-to-school appointments.

That rush is real. Many parents wait until the last fortnight of the holidays to think about braces, so consultation slots and fitting appointments get booked up fast. Starting the process earlier in the summer gives you first pick of appointment times and avoids the scramble that tends to happen in the final weeks before term.

The first few days with a new brace or set of aligners are usually the most uncomfortable. In the first week or two, it’s common to notice:

• Mild soreness or pressure when biting
• A slight change to speech, especially with certain appliances
• A preference for softer foods like pasta, mash or soup

None of this is cause for concern and, fortunately, it tends to settle quickly. Having the extra time and flexibility of the holidays means your child or teenager can rest, eat softer foods and use over-the-counter pain relief if needed, all without worrying about missing lessons or turning up to PE at the wrong moment.

Summer also gives families time to build a proper hygiene routine. Brushing around brackets and wires takes more care than brushing alone, and most teenagers need a few weeks to get into the habit of cleaning thoroughly and checking for any food caught around the brace. Starting treatment now means that routine is already second nature by the time school resumes.

When is the right age to start orthodontic treatment?

Most teenagers begin wearing braces between the ages of 12 and 14, once the majority of their adult teeth have come through. But it’s advisable to get a first orthodontic screening by age seven so that any developing issues can be picked up early. An early assessment doesn’t usually mean treatment starts straight away.

Seeing an orthodontist early matters because the jaw is still developing in primary-school-aged children, which can make it easier to guide growth or catch problems before they become more complicated. Many parents ask exactly when a child should get braces, but it really depends on the individual. For most children aged seven to 10, an early visit results in what orthodontists call a “watch and wait” plan, rather than an immediate fitting.

A typical early assessment includes:

1. A check of how the teeth and jaws are developing.
2. X-rays or scans if the orthodontist needs a closer look.
3. A decision on whether to start treatment now, wait a little longer, or simply monitor with annual reviews.

So, can my child start braces before school returns? In many cases, yes. If your orthodontist has already recommended treatment, summer is simply the most practical time to book the orthodontic consultation and get the brace fitted.

What treatment options are available for teenagers?

Orthodontic treatment is more common among teenagers than many parents realise. According to the 2013 Children’s Dental Health Survey (CDHS),18% of 15-year-olds and 9% of 12-year-olds were undergoing orthodontic treatment at the time of evaluation. And while 44% of 12-year-olds and 29% of 15-year-olds expressed a desire for straighter teeth, over half of them wouldn’t qualify for NHS treatment.

We offer four main options for teenagers. The right choice depends on the complexity of the case, your teenager’s lifestyle and how much they mind the appliance being visible.

1. Traditional metal braces

“Traintrack” braces remain the most affordable option and work well for more complex cases. They use visible metal brackets and wires, and they call for a few dietary adjustments. For example, no chewy sweets, hard crusts or biting into apples whole.

2. Ceramic braces

Ceramic braces work in the same way as metal braces, but use tooth-coloured brackets, making them less noticeable. They suit teenagers who want the reliability of a fixed brace with a more discreet look for photos or social occasions.

3. Invisalign Teen

Invisalign Teen uses a series of clear, removable aligners rather than fixed brackets, which makes it a popular choice among pupils who play sport or a musical instrument. Aligners come out for matches, rehearsals and meals, then go back in for the 20 to 22 hours a day needed to keep treatment on track.

How long does Invisalign take for teens? Most complete treatment in 12 to 18 months, though the exact length depends on how complex the case is and how consistently the aligners are worn.

4. Lingual and Damon braces

For teenagers who want a fixed brace that’s harder to see, lingual braces sit behind the teeth rather than in front, while Damon braces use a self-ligating system that can mean fewer adjustment visits. Both are usually reserved for specific cases, and your orthodontist will explain whether either suits your teenager during the consultation.

How can parents prepare teenagers for the new term?

A simple orthodontic care kit, a few braces-friendly lunchbox ideas and a custom mouthguard for sports cover most of what a teenager needs to feel comfortable back at school. Most teenagers settle into their new routine within the first week or two.

A small survival kit for your teenager’s school bag covers the basics:

• A travel toothbrush and a small tube of fluoride toothpaste.
• Interdental brushes for cleaning around brackets and wires.
• A case for aligners, so they’re never wrapped in a tissue and binned by accident.
• Orthodontic wax, for any spot where a bracket or wire rubs.

Lunchboxes need a small rethink, too. Braces-friendly options (think pasta salad, soft fruit, yoghurt and sandwiches with the crusts cut off) are easier on a new brace than anything sticky, chewy or hard. Planning meals ahead means fewer trips to the orthodontist for a loose bracket.

If your teenager plays a contact sport, a custom-made mouthguard is worth asking your orthodontist about, since it protects both the brace and the teeth far better than a generic, off-the-shelf version.

There’s a social side to all this, too. Given that almost one in five 15-year-olds in the UK are already undergoing some form of orthodontic treatment, your teenager will be far from the only one in their year group adjusting to a new brace. That alone goes a long way toward a confident smile back at school.

Book your child’s consultation this summer

Arranging a consultation with Hampstead Orthodontic Practice now means securing a convenient appointment before the autumn rush, and giving your teenager the best possible start to their orthodontic treatment. We’ll talk you through costs, timelines and which option suits your child best, whether that’s traditional, ceramic, lingual or Damon braces, or Invisalign Teen.

If you’ve been meaning to look into orthodontics for your child or teenager, this is the moment to do so. Get in touch to book a FREE consultation before the new term begins.

FAQs

Can my child start braces before school returns in September?

In many cases, yes. If your child has already been assessed and treatment has been recommended, summer is the most practical time to get the brace fitted. Appointment slots are more flexible, and there’s time to settle into a new routine well before lessons resume.

How long does Invisalign Teen take?

Most teenagers complete treatment in 12 to 18 months. The exact length depends on the complexity of the case and how consistently the aligners are worn. They need to stay in for 20 to 22 hours a day to keep treatment on track.

Will having braces affect my teenager at school?

Very little, once the first week or two has passed. A small kit in their bag (including a travel toothbrush, interdental brushes, aligner case and orthodontic wax) covers most situations. For contact sports, ask about a custom mouthguard before term begins.

Does my child qualify for NHS orthodontic treatment?

NHS orthodontic treatment is available to under-18s, but only more severe cases meet the clinical threshold for funding. Even if your child wants straighter teeth, they may not qualify. A consultation will give you a clear picture of what’s available and what private treatment is likely to cost.

What’s the difference between metal braces, ceramic braces and Invisalign Teen?

Metal braces are the most affordable and best suited to complex cases, but the most visible. Ceramic braces work in the same way using tooth-coloured brackets for a more discreet finish. Invisalign Teen uses clear, removable aligners, but depends on your teenager wearing them consistently throughout treatment.