How To Tell if Your Child Needs Braces

Sometimes our pediatric dental team sees patients as young as seven years old for orthodontics. While a child probably won’t get braces until all of their adult teeth have grown in, there are early signs that their teeth or jaw need correction. Let’s review some of these signs.

Misaligned Jaw or Bite

If your child has an overbite (top teeth cover the bottom teeth) or an underbite (bottom teeth cover top teeth), you will want to consider getting braces to prevent premature teeth wear. Other bite problems include when the bottom and top teeth don’t touch, which could be a sign of a misaligned jaw that needs correction.

Misaligned Teeth

Crooked teeth might be the most common reason why children need braces. It’s harder to clean crooked teeth, and some people might feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth. Your child might also want braces if there are gaps between the teeth. Braces can make the smile more aesthetically pleasing and uniform.

Problems with Chewing & Biting

Misaligned teeth can cause problems with chewing. If you notice your child has difficulty chewing or biting food properly, they might need braces to correct a misaligned bite or crooked teeth. Eating with teeth that don’t line up properly can cause jaw discomfort and headaches over time.

Problems with Speech

While many factors could cause speech problems, one possible cause is your child’s oral development. Sometimes something as simple as misaligned teeth can make it hard for a child to properly enunciate words.

Orthodontics at Pleasanton Children’s Dentistry & Braces

At our dental office in Pleasanton, TX, we offer several types of braces including metal braces, ceramic braces, and Invisalign®. Our team can help you determine which braces are right for your child. If you’re not sure if your child needs braces, please schedule a consultation with us. We can examine your child’s mouth, diagnose any oral development issues, and suggest the best course of treatment. You don’t need to wait for your child’s adult teeth to grow in for a consultation. We can still spot potential problems early on and plan for orthodontic treatment as soon as possible.

Image by Authority Dental under CC 2.0

Categorised in: Orthodontics

This post was written by Pleasanton Children’s Dentistry & Braces