Signs Your Child May Need Orthodontic Treatment
As your child is growing and their baby teeth come in and then fall out, it’s not strange to wonder if you will need to invest in braces. In fact, it’s not uncommon to walk into any middle or high school and see numerous students with some variation of orthodontic hardware. Bringing your child to a dentist starting at an early age will give you a great indication what your orthodontic future will look like. Regular dental treatment will allow our office to monitor your child’s growing teeth for any warning signs.
Since early detection of potential orthodontic problems can prevent future issues, it is important to be aware of warning signs that parents and family members can be on the lookout for.
Crowded Teeth
Crowding is when the teeth are too close or overlap one another in the mouth. This leads to oral health problems due to the difficulty of brushing and flossing properly, causing plaque, tooth decay, and cavities. Overcrowded permanent teeth can also cause speech issues and discomfort when chewing.
Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
When baby teeth are lost at a young age, the remaining teeth can shift, eliminating the open space for the permanent tooth to grow in its proper location. On the other hand, if baby teeth are lost at an older age, it can lead to alignment issues.
Prolonged Pacifier Use or Thumbsucking
Exposure to thumbsucking and pacifier use past the age of 5 is cause for concern due to the possibility of the upper jaw narrowing and permanent front teeth protruding outward. It can also contribute to tongue thrusting issues, further damaging front teeth.
Underbite or Overbite
When bottom teeth protrude past the upper teeth, it is an indication that the jaw is misaligned causing an underbite. An overbite is when the upper teeth greatly protrude past the bottom teeth, many times causing difficulty in closing the mouth.
If you are wondering whether your child is showing any of the warning signs to indicate orthodontic treatment may be in your future, please contact our office located in Wayne, NJ today to schedule an appointment. We offer numerous treatment options in house and are happy to help you find the perfect fit for your family.
