Oral health is an issue for all parents, and we all want our children to grow up with healthy and nice teeth. However, even if you do everything correctly, you can’t help it if your child’s teeth aren’t growing properly. This could be a sign that they might need a corrective procedure. The good thing is that the earlier you start, the better the results will be, so you have to make sure that you spot the signs early and consider options, like getting braces for instance. This isn’t something you should rush, though, and you need to make sure that it’s the proper course of action before you make your decision. Here are some signs that your child may need braces.
Crooked Teeth
This is usually the first sign that you should consider braces for your child. In some cases, some parents may think that it’s minor, and it might be. However, even one or two crooked teeth can deteriorate later on and lead to advanced dental issues down the road.
This is why we suggest you work with a skilled and reputable dentist early on. There are a lot of different options for braces available, so make sure you thoroughly research them. The clinic Kissdental has a free guide to getting the ultimate smile which might be a worthwhile starting point. In there, you should be able to read about what options are available (along with some general tips) to help your child get the smile they want.
Crossbite
Crossbites are when the upper or lower jaw gets misaligned. The jaw can deviate either to the left of the right and not meet correctly. This is one of the most common reasons for children getting braces, and it is a serious issue that needs to be corrected as soon as you see signs. When left unattended, crossbites can lead to things such as asymmetric jaw growth, chipped teeth, and jaw pain. In extreme cases, it can lead to serious conditions later in life that might require extensive surgery.
Teeth that Won’t Develop
Children’s teeth don’t always grow at the same rate. In some cases, a tooth will just refuse to go down as the other ones around are fully developed. In this case, you might want to consider braces.
What braces will do is allow the other teeth to remain in place while the remaining tooth develops. This will allow the tooth to be guided into place and grow correctly. Not only will you be able to help the tooth grow properly, but correct the surrounding teeth that might be slightly misaligned.
They’re Insecure About their Smile
If you notice that your child is insecure about their smile, or are getting conscious about their teeth, then you should definitely consider going for braces. No child should grow up being afraid to smile, and if money is an issue, know that braces are fully covered by the NHS up to the age of 18.
They Have Trouble Chewing
There are times when it’s tough to see if your child’s teeth have grown incorrectly. But one of the ways to know if there’s something wrong is if your child has difficulty chewing, or if they have pain when eating. This could be a sign of a root issue. In some cases, teeth might seem perfect at the surface but have underlying problems at the root. If your child experiences discomfort or isn’t able to close their mouth correctly, then this could be a sign.
Late or Early Loss of Baby Teeth
Another sign that your child might need braces is if they end up losing baby teeth early or too late. The reason for this is that if baby teeth fall too early or too late, the other teeth might end up being misaligned as a result. A dentist will be able to look over possible solutions with you, but braces will usually be at the top of their recommendations.
Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is another issue that could lead to crooked teeth later on. If you let your child suck on their thumb for a long time, they could develop all sorts of issues. For instance, the top teeth could end up protruding out as a result. In other cases, there will be crowding on the bottom teeth.
In most cases, children will automatically stop sucking their thumb by the time they reach 2 to 4 years old. If you notice that they’re still doing it, try to stop it. If you don’t correct the habit and they continue sucking their thumb while their permanent teeth are growing, chances are braces will be the only option.
These are some of the biggest signs that your child may need to get some braces. Whatever you do, make sure that you get a few opinions from various dentists and make sure that you look at all the options that are available to you.
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