As a parent of a child, you will always look forward to your infant child having normal growth and a normal smile as they are growing.
However, due to certain issues or a few wrong habits developed during early childhood, there can be a few problems when you need to see an orthodontist.
Often, your child may need suitable braces & Invisalign. Therefore, it is essential that you observe your child carefully and if any abnormality is observed in the growth of their teeth, then contact Children’s Braces and Dentistry immediately.
Some indicators that your child requires braces
Look for the following few signs to ensure your child needs braces. However, your orthodontist will decide it finally.
1) Crowded teeth
In such conditions, the permanent teeth will not have enough scope to erupt, and they will not grow in a proper manner. Some teeth may shift in one side of the mouth. As a result, your child may face problems during chewing.
2) Gaps between teeth
Gaps between the teeth can be a warning sign that braces may be needed. Often, these gaps close on their own as the permanent teeth come in.
3) Lost baby teeth early or late
Braces may be necessary if baby teeth are lost too soon or too late. Adjacent teeth may move into the spaces left by early tooth loss in babies. Conversely, losing teeth later than usual can lead to alignment issues.
4) Thumb sucking
Thumb sucking is quite common among children. However, you should not ignore it if your child has also developed such a habit.
It may impact your child’s development, and the teeth may be misaligned. If your child frequently sucks his/her thumb, it may indicate the need for braces to address these issues.
5) Breathing through mouth
If your child is trying to breathe through the mouth, then the face contour of your child may change. It should not be taken too lightly if you ever notice it in your child.
6) Underbite
Often your child’s lower teeth are more extended as compared to upper teeth, which causes underbite.
7) Overbite
The exact opposite of the above is an overbite, where the upper teeth may not align with the lower teeth. Often, your child ends up breathing with mouth because they find it difficult to close their lips.
8) Problems with chewing or biting
Keep an eye on your child to observe how they eat and whether they have any trouble biting or chewing. There can be a problem if your toddler bites his tongue or cheeks on a regular basis.
Is it the right time to receive braces?
Usually, most children prefer this option when they attain the age of 12. Some children may wait till the age of 18. Braces can be used once adult teeth are fully developed.
The American Association of Orthodontists advises an orthodontic screening at age 7 to address any structural issues early, while treatment can be started earlier with a pediatric dentist’s referral if needed. Otherwise, treatment can wait until adolescence if no skeletal or jaw issues are present.
