There’s nothing quite as satisfying as seeing the smile on your little one’s face. As a parent, it is your responsibility to monitor their oral health during childhood, to keep them from facing major orthodontic issues later in life.
While only a dental expert can correctly detect whether a child needs braces, there are some telltale signs that indicate the need.
Sign#1: Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
Typically, children lose their primary teeth around the age of six, before their permanent teeth kick in. If some of these teeth are lost too early, neighboring teeth could move into the empty spaces. Late loss of baby teeth can also cause alignment issues, as growing permanent teeth would have a limited amount of space to erupt.
Sign#2: Misaligned Jaws
The position of your child’s jaw can determine whether they might need braces. The upper teeth of your child should be resting on their lower teeth with no uneven spaces between the two. Protruded upper or lower teeth are clear indicators of jaw problems and if you spot such an irregularity, your child could need braces.
Sign#3: Crooked, Blocked or Crowded Teeth
Teeth that are too close together are known as crowded teeth. Crowding of teeth is not only unattractive, it also causes severe biting and chewing problems. Brushing and flossing also turns into an unpleasant ordeal with crowded, crooked or blocked teeth. Braces can align such teeth back into position.
Sign#4: Prolonged Thumb Sucking
According to the American Dental Association, thumb sucking is a natural behavior among infants, as it makes them feel safer and secure.
However, if aggressive thumb sucking continues past the age of 4, it can affect the alignment of child’s teeth and cause crowding. Changes in the palate are also caused by vigorous thumb sucking, which can have an impact on the permanent bite of your child.
Sign#5: Jaw Clicking
Hear an unusual clicking sound every time your child takes a bite of their food or yawn? Clicking sounds are red flags for jaw development issues, which can be sorted out with the help of braces.
Sign#6: Mouth Breathing:
A child who frequently uses their mouth to breath develops narrow jaws, as their tongue never really rests on the roof of their mouth. Having narrow jaws limits the amount of space available for proper growth of permanent teeth, creating a need for braces.
Misaligned teeth can lower the confidence of your child. Poor chewing habits resulting from uneven or crooked teeth could also be keeping them from getting the nutrients they require.
If you’ve noticed some of these signs in your child, schedule an appoint at West Lovers Dentists today. Our pediatric dentists provide a warm and welcoming environment for children, and ensure that you get the best dental treatment in Dallas at the most affordable rates. For consultations, give us a call at 214-771-8990.