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Elective procedures (orthodontic, cosmetic, ear piercing)

Which non-essential medical or cosmetic procedures you would allow for a child, such as braces for looks, cosmetic work or ear piercing.

When should we allow braces, ear piercing and other elective procedures?

In short: Parents choose between 3 main approaches: Medically necessary only; Standard orthodontics; Cosmetic allowed. Evidence: your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide. Best settled: school age.

Evidence
Your call
Best settled
School age
Part of
Raising the child

Elective procedures: what are the options?

Parents usually land on one of these 3 approaches.

  1. 1. Medically necessary only

    You agree only to procedures a doctor says are needed.

  2. 2. Standard orthodontics

    You agree to ordinary braces and similar treatment.

  3. 3. Cosmetic allowed

    You allow cosmetic procedures such as ear piercing.

Elective procedures: what does the evidence say?

Your call. No outcome evidence picks a winner. Preference, culture, money and logistics decide.

Flagged by court templates as a decision parents must settle; no evidence gathered

Sources

What else is worth knowing?

Some procedures are chosen rather than needed, such as braces for appearance or ear piercing. The question is who decides and at what age the child's own view counts. Permanent changes raise the stakes.

Questions to ask each other

  • Which procedures would we only do if medically needed?
  • At what age would we let our child decide for themselves?
  • How would we respond if our child asked for something cosmetic?

More in Health, body and toileting

First published 2026-10-03. Last updated 2026-10-05. General information, not medical advice.