5 Signs Your Child Might Need Braces

As a parent, part of your job description includes being a part-time dentist, among other things.

As kids develop, you may find yourself wondering whether or not they need braces; braces may be necessary due to several orthodontic problems.

Deciding whether or not your child should get braces isn’t a decision that you have to make alone.

We’ve created this piece to make the process of deciding on braces easier for you and your family.

Early Signs

No two kids are the same; the age at which your child starts showing signs of dental issues would be different from that of your neighbour’s child.

The rate at which orthodontic issues develop in children varies and is considered on a case-to-case basis.

The best way for you to determine if what you’re noticing with your child’s teeth will cause dental issues would be to take your little ones on periodic dental checkups.

Your child’s dentist can locate and track potential dental problems then decide whether they’ll need full orthodontic screening or a minor intervention.

Crowding

Crowding is a dental phenomenon that occurs as a result of insufficient space in your little one’s jaws to accommodate all their adult teeth.

Crowding can result in teeth sprouting in an unsuitable position such as behind other teeth or strangely in between two teeth or in some cases teeth falling out to return at a more appropriate time.

Crowding can make it tricky for your child to maintain proper oral hygiene as it becomes harder to adequately clean teeth. By fixing crowded teeth, you’ll also be improving the appearance of your child’s smile in the process.

Jaw Appearance

The shape or appearance of your little one’s jaw can be a very crucial indicator of impending dental issues that might result in the need for braces.

When a palate or jaw looks slightly smaller or disproportioned, this may point towards your child having issues with their bite as they progress in life.

If you live in or around Lake Haven or the Central Coast, you can make use of the services of an affordable, preventive dental care service to get the best advice from some of the best dental professionals in Australia.

In the case of an oddly shaped jaw, braces can also help with preventing overbites, underbites and crossbite.

Spacing and Speaking Issues

It is not uncommon for kids to have significant space or gaps between their primary teeth; this is due to these teeth being smaller than their permanent counterparts.

If this problem persists as your little one gets older, you may want to consider orthodontic treatment to force their teeth together.

Unclear speech or mispronouncing words may not always be a sign of intellectual difficulties; it could point to your child having a misaligned bite.

Fixing this will help your child to adapt better to social and academic situations.

Protruding Teeth and Chewing difficulties

It’s easy to assume that your child’s “bad chewing” is simply an unpleasant habit, but that isn’t always the case. It can be as a result of your little one’s jaw and teeth not working together in unison.

It’s easy to spot protruding teeth. They can occur as a result of an underbite or overbite and can quickly deteriorate, affecting your child’s overall physical appearance.

Keep in mind that this isn’t a comprehensive list, but it’s a good start for parents that are curious about what they should look out for when it comes to deciding on braces.

Sheri Crwn