Oral health can have a tremendous impact on children’s health and well-being. Kids are more at risk for cavities, toothaches and tooth decay since they don’t have the same defences against these issues as adults. A big part of being a good oral health parent is encouraging your children to keep their mouths healthy by practicing healthy oral hygiene habits. The best way to do this is by ensuring your child visits the dentist regularly. One important question parents should ask is whether or not their child needs braces.
An orthodontist is a dental specialist who improves the function of your child’s jaw, teeth and head. Children of any age can benefit from braces, although some will need them earlier than others. It is important to remember that nothing is set in stone regarding your child’s oral health. Although your child may not need braces initially, there is always a chance that the need for them might present itself later on in life, even if it does not seem likely.
Signs That Your Child May Need Braces
Crowded Teeth
Crowding can occur for many reasons, including genetics, prenatal infections, thumb sucking or premature loss of baby teeth. Children who do not receive treatment for crowded teeth tend to suffer from speech and breathing problems and gaps between the teeth that make eating more difficult. Symptoms include a thin, weak jaw, crooked or misshapen teeth and a lack of both permanent and baby teeth.
The teeth on the outside of your child’s mouth are especially at risk for being crowded. This condition can make your child susceptible to teeth grinding and gum disease. A trained orthodontist can provide orthodontic treatment options for overcrowded teeth to improve your child’s oral health and give them more confidence. They can develop a treatment plan that will most likely include braces and retainers.
Gaps Between Teeth
Certain genetic conditions can cause gaps between your child’s teeth. Children grow more susceptible to these conditions because their permanent teeth do not erupt simultaneously. Missing teeth create visible gaps between the remaining teeth, making it difficult for your child to chew properly. Older children are more at risk for tooth decay and rotting teeth, which will only widen the gap in their smiles.
To help close up spaces between teeth, your child should visit an orthodontist who may recommend braces and a palate expander if your child is young enough. A palate expander is a post-fitting device placed behind the last teeth to rebuild the space between them. This device will protect teeth and make it more challenging for your child to eat something hard.
Underbite
Your child’s bottom teeth can protrude too much over their top teeth. This condition is also an underbite when the lower jaw is too short. This can cause speech problems and a deadly bite force, making your child more likely to suffer from jaw pain and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). It can also put pressure on the teeth’ roots, damaging them. It is caused by various genetic conditions, including the presence of the third molars and an overbite.
Braces work on the tongue and lower jaw to compensate for the overbite and create a more even bite. This procedure can take several years to complete, and your child may need multiple visits. Depending on their medical history, your child may need a special device called a bite-blocker to support their jaw to get the best results.
Overbite
Your child’s upper teeth may extend too far over their lower teeth. This condition is also an overbite and can result in pain and difficulty chewing foods. It can also lead to bruxism, which refers to the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth together. Overbites are often caused by genetics or a lack of space between the teeth.
Your orthodontist will work to remove the excessive space between your child’s teeth and reposition the lower jaw to provide a closer bite. Your child may need braces in conjunction with a bite-blocker.
Crooked Teeth
Your child’s teeth may be crooked or misshapen. It is among the signs your child may need braces. This condition occurs due to genetics or a congenital disability. Children’s teeth will sometimes grow crooked if they grind and chew on hard objects, like pencils or pens. Over time, this can cause the front teeth to curve inward or outward. Crooked teeth may also make it difficult for your child to bite and cause jaw problems in children and adults.
Braces can provide pediatric orthodontics treatment options to straighten teeth and move them into the right position. They can also be placed on your child’s teeth before they are completely grown to straighten them. If you notice that your child’s teeth are crooked, it is best to make an appointment with a dentist for a checkup to ensure no serious dental issues are developing.
Thumb Sucking
Your child may suck their thumb for various reasons, including a need for comfort. The behavior is one of the most common signs your child may need braces. This behavior can cause issues with the structure of your child’s teeth, resulting in an overbite. Over time, a thumb-sucking habit can lead to more serious complications, including crooked teeth and gum disease. It is more likely to occur when your child is young because they do not yet understand their oral health or the benefits of proper dental hygiene.
Your child will be instructed on proper hand and finger hygiene during treatment to prevent conditions such as oral cancer. You may also want to consult a dentist to check for signs of thumb sucking due to the risk of developing serious oral health issues.
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding can be a signs that your child need braces. Their teeth may rub against one another and even against the back molars, which can cause gum disease and root decay. Tooth grinding can also damage the health of the teeth and cause jaw problems. The condition is caused by a lack of control over the muscles that control biting. Sometimes, the teeth may grind against other teeth or even against the tongue.
Braces can be used to correct any jaw issues caused by grinding and restore your child’s life quality. This treatment can also delay the need for orthognathic surgery and prevent the need to wear temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) splints.
Crossbite
Your child’s upper teeth may overlap their lower teeth. This condition is also known as a crossbite and can cause the top or bottom front teeth to overlap the bottom or top front teeth. The overlapping of your child’s lower front teeth can affect the normal position of their permanent molars, which may shift out of alignment as they develop. It could also cause your child’s front teeth to become misaligned and make it difficult for them to bite together.
Braces can be used to correct the position of your child’s teeth and ensure that their bite is properly aligned. This treatment can also account for the space caused by the lower jaw being smaller than the upper one. Your child may need a palate expander if they are young enough.
Mouth Breathing
Your child may breathe through their mouth or the bottom of their tongue if they cannot take in enough oxygen. This can cause your child to have difficulty sleeping or taking full breaths. Your child may also drool excessively, making it feel like there is too much saliva in their mouth. The condition is caused by a malformation of the upper airway, which prevents adequate oxygen from entering the lungs and going to the brain.
Braces can be used to correct the condition and correct any jaw issues that may result. Your child may also need a medical endotracheal tube to help them breathe. The braces will prevent them from developing a crossbite and ensure they can take in enough air.
Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
Your child’s permanent teeth will begin to grow between the ages of 6 to 8 years. Their baby teeth must fall out before these permanent teeth can grow in. Your child may develop an overbite or crossbite if their baby teeth fall out too early or too late. A problem causes this during their first years of development.
The permanent teeth may shift out of position as they grow in. They may also cause jaw and neck issues. The best solution for this problem is pediatric orthodontics to correct the position of your child’s teeth. Your child may need a temporary appliance for braces if their permanent teeth are out of alignment.
What are Braces?
Braces are made of brackets and wires placed in the front teeth. They are used to ensure that your child’s edge is properly aligned. The most common types include Invisalign braces, Lingual Braces, and Traditional Metal Braces.
Invisalign braces are transparent and plastic, making them easy to wear in public. They work slowly over time to move teeth into the correct position. Your child must visit the orthodontist every 4 weeks to maintain their treatment.
Lingual braces are made of clear or translucent plastic and are only worn on the front teeth. They work by gradually moving teeth toward the middle of your child’s mouth with minimal side effects.
Determining If You Your Child Need Braces?
Your dentist and orthodontist will determine if your child needs braces and how many types of braces are appropriate for their treatment plan. How braces are placed in your child’s mouth is determined by the amount of tooth space they have. As your child develops, the adjustment may need to be made in several steps. Braces can correct jaw and joint problems, including TMJ dysfunction or misalignment. Children with braces should see dentists many times throughout their treatment, so the orthodontist will be able to address any issues that may arise.
How Elara Orthodontics in Richmond Texas Can Help
Our orthodontists are trained to provide comprehensive facial and oral aesthetics and definitive treatment for misaligned teeth in children. The orthodontist may need to take impressions of your child’s teeth or an X-ray to determine how their treatment needs to be designed. They will provide oral health awareness and educate you on maintaining a healthy mouth throughout your child’s life. You should visit your orthodontist every six months to maintain your child’s treatment and get the most out of their braces.
Kids often have a harder time adjusting to the discomfort associated with braces. You should find a dentist and orthodontist who can provide solutions that work for you and your child. If your child needs treatment, Elara Orthodontics in Richmond Texas can help. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.