The first few years of a child’s life are the most important. If they don’t get off to a good start, it can affect them for the rest of their lives. This is why parents need to ensure that their children are on the right track. Healthy teeth also help your child avoid health problems such as tooth loss and heart disease. If you notice any issues with your child’s teeth, it may be time to look into orthodontics for them. Here are some signs that your child needs orthodontic treatment.
1. Overbite
When the front teeth protrude beyond the back ones, this is caused by a lack of space or overcrowding of the teeth. When there is not enough room for the adult molars to grow, they will cause a “buckle” in the incisors and may leave them looking rotated or crooked. This can also cause an increased chance of decay because the teeth are not in their proper alignment.
2. Crossbite
This occurs when one or more top teeth are pushed behind the bottom front teeth. It can be caused by the top jaw being smaller than the bottom, problems with tongue position, thumb sucking, or genetics.
3. Open Bite
This refers to a space between your child’s upper and lower teeth. While it’s usually not a problem in the early years, your child may begin experiencing difficulty with chewing when they get older. An open bite can also lead to jaw problems such as TMJ down the line if left untreated. To avoid these problems, it’s best to get your child orthodontic treatment as early as possible.
4. Crowding or Misalignment of Teeth
This is when there isn’t enough room for all of the teeth to fit in the mouth. Baby teeth may be pushed out of the way by the adult molars growing behind them, which can cause misalignment of permanent teeth as they come in. Crowding can create additional problems, such as overbites and crossbites.
5. Spacing or Gaps Between Teeth
Spaces occur between teeth for a variety of reasons. They can be hereditary, caused by missing or extracted teeth, or from improperly aligned teeth. Spaces between the front teeth can cause problems with appearance, speech problems and make it more difficult to clean the teeth.
Time To Get Orthodontic Treatment for Your Child
The AAO advises getting a check-up with an orthodontist as soon as your child shows signs of an orthodontic problem, but no later than the age of seven. The earlier you catch the problem, the easier it is to treat and/or correct it. Remember that your child’s dental health and appearance can affect first impressions of other people and influence how they view themselves.