How to tell if your child needs braces?

As your child starts to grow up, you may notice a misalignment in their teeth when they talk or smile. It may be quite apparent, such as in the case of a crossbite, crowding, etc., or a minor condition like slight protrusion of the teeth. The best solution to this is getting early orthodontic diagnosis conducted and, if required, getting them orthodontic aligners based on the suggestion of the dentist.

What are the signs of your child needing braces?

Dental braces are the go-to solution for treating malocclusion. They are composed of metal brackets and wires, which apply pressure on the teeth in a controlled manner and a predetermined direction, thus making them move to their desired positions. It may be tricky and confusing to understand whether or not your child would require dental braces. Here are a few signs that you could look out for:

• Untimely falling off of baby teeth

The baby teeth usually fall off when the child is around six years of age. In some kids, this may happen too early or too late, indicating a concern with the growth and development of the teeth and jawbone. It can especially be a significant issue if they stay intact for too long, as the permanent teeth underneath would emerge deviated and lead to a malocclusion.

• Trouble biting and chewing food

Most children with misaligned teeth often find it difficult to bite or chew food. This could be due to how the teeth meet when the jaw is clenched or the unequal forces and stress applied on the teeth when they chew food. Over time, the pain and discomfort would increase gradually and make it difficult for them to perform routine oral activities.

• Crowding or spacing of teeth

Crowding is a type of malocclusion where the teeth are too close to each other to the extent that they overlap one another. Crowding can lead to excessive accumulation of microbes on the teeth, which promotes tartar deposits, cavities, and gum diseases. Also, it can be quite tricky to clean them effectively. Spacing is also a type of malocclusion where large gaps separate the teeth. It can make the child’s smile appear quite displeasing.

• Mouth breathing

Mouth breathing in children can affect the growth of their teeth and jawbone. It is known to cause facial deformities, crooked teeth, nasal congestion, and hindered development of the body as a whole. It is best to seek a dentist’s advice and get the child treated at the earliest to counter mouth breathing.

Some of the other signs that you can watch out for are thumb sucking, popping or clicking sound when the child moves the jaw, outward protruding jaw, subconscious teeth grinding and jaw clenching, biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth, a large gap between the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is clenched, disproportional size of the teeth and jaw, etc.

Please reach out to us, and we’ll help diagnose and treat your child for a malocclusion.