6 Signs Your Child Needs Braces
Did you know that it’s sometimes necessary for children to receive an orthodontic evaluation starting at age 7? Early detection of orthodontic problems is key in not only preventing more significant issues in the future, but also guiding the growth for a confident, healthier smile. While each child’s tooth and jaw development is different, take a look at some telltale signs that can help you determine when to bring your child into Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa for braces.
Physical Oral Issues
Teeth Crowding
Crowded, crooked, or overlapped teeth are one of the easiest ways to identify if your child needs braces. This occurs for reasons such as genetics, jaw size, and the time at which baby teeth were lost. This misalignment of teeth can cause discomfort, increasing the risk of cavities and gingivitis due to difficulty in brushing. Lastly, if the patient’s appearance is not what is desired for a confident smile, then orthodontics should be initiated.
Gapped Teeth
Spacing issues are another easily identifiable reason your child might need braces. Gaps in teeth can result from having smaller teeth, fewer teeth, or missing teeth. It can be difficult to clean the gaps and get food out of them entirely. Because of this, there is an increased risk of gingivitis, leading to gum disease and cavities.
Malocclusions
Overbites, underbites, and crossbites are common types of jaw misalignments that typically require braces. An overbite is when the upper teeth vertically overlap the lower teeth more than they should. The opposite is an underbite, which is when the bottom teeth vertically protrude beyond the front teeth. A crossbite happens horizontally when the top and bottom teeth misalign. Malocclusions such as these may cause jaw joint dysfunction (TMJ) or other oral health issues.
Indications of Oral Issues
Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing in children is problematic for a handful of reasons. It negatively affects sleep, may slow growth, and can alter facial shape and development. This disturbs the natural teeth positioning and can lead to additional physical oral issues, such as crowded or gapped teeth or misalignment of the jaw.
Speech Difficulties
Verbal problems in children can be indicative of dental issues that could require orthodontic assistance. If the positioning of the teeth or jaw is off, speech pronunciation and air control can be affected. Lisps, slurred speech, vocal strain, and difficulty pronouncing certain sounds are a few of the common impediments that can result from malocclusions, gapped, or crowded teeth.
Pacifier/Thumb Sucking
Thumb and/or finger sucking use are very common in infants and toddlers, but can lead to serious oral issues. This is a normal habit that usually diminishes from ages 3-4, but if the act o is not lost by the time adult teeth begin to form, there is an increased risk for braces. The act of sucking on a thumb or pacifier impacts developing front teeth positioning and can cause an excessive overbite. It can also alter jaw development and result in malocclusions. Pacifier use should be discontinued no later than the second birthday.
Find Out if Your Child Needs Braces at Pediatric Dentistry of Iowa
Good oral health starts from a young age. If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs in your child, it’s time to come see us at Pediatric Dentistry of Central Iowa! Our interceptive orthodontics recognizes issues early on to ensure your child’s teeth grow and develop properly. Get your child’s oral health journey started today at our Ankeny or West Des Moines location.