3 Signs Your Child May Be Ready For Orthodontic Treatment

As a parent, you most likely understand the importance of dental care. Brushing, flossing, and having regular checkups by a dentist are necessary tasks for a healthy smile. However, certain conditions that affect the look and development of your child's teeth may arise. Considering it is most common in teenagers, you may not understand why your child's dentist is suggesting an orthodontic consultation. Early intervention, in children as young as 6 or 7 years old, is best since your child is still developing. If you notice one or more of these signs, your child may benefit from orthodontic treatments to ensure their smile is developing in a healthy and appealing manner.

Malocclusion

Most parents have never heard the term, Malocclusion, but this issue basically refers to a problem affecting a person's bite. If your child has one of the following Malocclusions, orthodontic treatment involving a palatal expander or even braces may be beneficial:

• Overbite – When the upper front teeth extend over the lower front teeth, it is an overbite.
• Underbite – An underbite occurs when the lower teeth extend in front of the upper teeth.
• Crossbite – Lower teeth that do not line up properly with the upper corresponding teeth is known as a crossbite.
• Overjet – Overjets are similar to an overbite. However, the upper teeth protrude out over the lower teeth excessively.

Early Loss of Baby Teeth

You child's baby teeth act as a model, guiding permanent teeth into a straight and aligned position. Unfortunately, some children will lose their baby teeth early, creating unnecessary space in the mouth until the adult teeth are ready to come in.

If your child has lost one or more baby teeth prematurely, the adult teeth will not erupt properly. This misalignment can decrease the appeal of your child's smile, but also cause overcrowding, which can lead to serious dental issues.

Orthodontic treatment can guide your child's adult teeth into the empty spaces without any worry of misalignment or future dental issues.

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is a common childhood habit. While it may appear cute and innocent, it can affect the development of your child's smile.

Most children who suck on their thumbs will have an overbite, since the habit places an excess amount of pressure on the upper front teeth. This pressure causes the teeth to protrude out and over the bottom teeth.

Braces can help realign the front teeth, but your child will need to break the thumb sucking habit to ensure orthodontic treatment is effective.

Your child can have a healthy, appealing, and functional smile. If you are noticing one of the above issues, schedule an orthodontic consultation today.

Share