How to Determine If Your Child Needs Orthodontics

Orthodontics is a holistic way to improve the look and function of teeth. Orthodontic appliances exert steady and gradual pressure to improve the alignment of the teeth. Common appliances are braces, which do most of the heavy lifting for patients with moderate to severe malocclusions.

Do you think that your child needs orthodontics? Keep going to learn more.

Orthodontics as a permanent fix

A cavity only requires a short session in the dentist’s chair. The same goes for a loose filling or an injury. Certain situations require long-term treatment, however. Such situations typically fall under the category of orthodontic problems.  Here is a shortlist of common orthodontic issues:

• Crowding
• Spaced teeth
• Incomplete eruption of teeth
• Jaw malformation
• Overbite, crossbite, or underbite

Some items on this list are root causes for others. For example, a jaw malformation can be the cause of crowding or an overbite. Unless a parent or guardian is a dental professional, they cannot form a definitive diagnosis, but they can look out for signs of a problem.

1. Problems with growing teeth

The earliest sign of a bad bite is the problematic eruption of baby and adult teeth. A dentist can walk parents/guardians through various developmental milestones that a child should hit at certain ages. As far as growing teeth go, these are the problems that caregivers should note:

• Teeth that take too long to grow
• Baby teeth that take too long to fall out
• Crowding
• Obstruction of erupting teeth

These tell-tale signs should have caregivers calling a dentist’s office for a consultation. The earlier that the child gets a diagnosis, the better the outcome can be.

2. Jaw malformation

A keen eye can spot a jaw that is overly long or narrow. Such jaw malformations often have companion problems, like crowding or a pronounced overbite. A jaw that is too large or too small in proportion to the rest of the face is an obvious sign of a jaw malformation. A caregiver should seek a dentist’s diagnosis as soon as they notice issues with their child’s jaw.

3. An open bite

Children who cannot touch their upper and lower teeth together may suffer from an open bite. This type of malocclusion is caused by a misalignment or malformation of the jaw. It takes extensive orthodontic treatment to correct this type of malocclusion.

4. Difficulty in chewing and other problems that can affect quality of life

A child who has a hard time at mealtime could be suffering from a bad bite, and so could a child who bites and injures their inner cheeks all the time. The same goes for jaws that shift or make audible clicking sounds that the child complains about.

Start your child on the journey to a healthy smile

Orthodontics is a great way to ensure a good bite and all the oral health benefits that come with it. Get in touch with us if you notice signs that warrant a second look by a dentist. Our staff members would be happy to give an in-depth diagnosis and advise you on the ideal course of treatment for your child.

Request an appointment here: https://www.mysmilefamilydental.net or call My Smile Family Dental at (714) 408-4343 for an appointment in our Santa Ana office.

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