Did you know that around 75% of children need orthodontic care by the time they reach early adolescence? Braces have been safely and reliably used for many decades (and have gotten even better in recent years), so regardless of what kind of issues your child has, an orthodontist in Carrollton can help! But many parents aren’t sure what signs to look for to know whether their child needs braces or not. In this blog, you’ll read about 5 common signs that usually mean braces are a good idea and also find out what age is ideal for a consultation. Learn more below!
1. Prolonged Thumbsucking
If your child sucks their thumb past the age when permanent teeth start coming in (usually between 5-7), it can cause their upper teeth to protrude or crowd the bottom teeth. It can also lead to changes in the shape and development of their jaws.
2. Mouth Breathing
If your child is mouth breathing at night, it will affect the way their tongue rests in their mouth. This can cause narrow jaw development and, in turn, inadequate room for their teeth.
3. Jaw Misalignment
When the upper and lower jaws don’t come together properly, it can lead to multiple problems such as crossbites, overbites, and underbites.
If not corrected with orthodontics, the jaws can become even more misaligned over time and eventually cause problems with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
4. Losing Baby Teeth Too Early or Late
The baby teeth actually guide the development and placement of the adult teeth, so losing them either too early or too late can cause crowding, spacing, or alignment issues that need to be corrected with braces in Carrollton.
5. Crowding or Large Gaps
Many children simply don’t have enough space to accommodate all of their teeth, which results in crowding. In addition to cosmetic concerns, it’s important to correct crowding because it makes cleaning the teeth and gums difficult and can lead to cavities and gum disease over time.
Alternatively, your child may have too much space or large gaps between their permanent teeth. However, keep in mind that some space between the baby teeth is considered normal and healthy, as it gives the naturally larger permanent teeth enough room to come in.
What’s Your Next Step?
If you suspect that your child has any of these issues, the first step is scheduling a consultation with an orthodontist. In fact, you can even schedule as early as age 7, since there are some cases where Phase I orthodontic interventions can be made to prevent more serious issues later.
It’s a great way to get an early idea of how healthy your child’s teeth and jaws are, and ultimately help them have a healthy smile for life!
About the Author
Dr. Anas Athar is an award-winning orthodontist in Carrollton with almost 20 years of experience. He’s dedicated to providing his community with outstanding orthodontic care and gets immense professional satisfaction from seeing how a straight, beautiful smile changes his patients’ lives. If you have any questions about braces, he can be contacted via his website.