5 Signs That Your Child Needs Braces
When you visit the dentist with your child for regular check-ups, they will let you know if they see any problems that indicate that your child needs braces. Even better if, at the age of 7, you visit an orthodontist for a first evaluation of the condition of the child’s mouth and teeth. However, if the above visits to the doctor’s are impossible or neglected, you can also monitor the development of your child’s teeth yourself. Specifically, the following signs indicate that your child may need braces:
Irregular Loss Of Primary Teeth
The child’s teeth change according to their planned development and depending on their age, but if they fall out much earlier or later than usual, braces may be needed. If your child’s teeth fall out too early, there may be a long delay until the permanent ones erupt, and as a result, the existing teeth may begin to move toward these gaps. Otherwise, when teeth fall out late, permanent teeth often try to “grow” around them and this can also lead to the need for braces in order to get them in place properly.
Difficulty chewing food
A healthy mouth and a normal dentition work in a way that facilitates the chewing of food. If your child is trying to bite foods such as apples, if they have difficulty chewing or complain of chewing pain, these are all signs that they may need braces. Braces restore the problems of chewing so that the teeth fit together and work effectively.
In addition, children falling in this category can often bite their tongue or cheeks. When they bite, you may even find that their teeth do not fit well. In addition, they may grind their teeth at night or their jaw may change or make unusual sounds often.
Thumb or finger sucking
Often, children who have spent a lot of time sucking on their thumb or fingers may also need braces. This habit puts undue pressure on the teeth, and in particular, it can cause the front teeth to fall out. Ideally, you should help your child by encouraging them to stop sucking on their finger. Next, you should consult an orthodontist for braces, while also monitoring your child’s mouth yourself. In any case, the problem is proportional to the frequency and intensity of sucking and should be treated at a very young age.
Crooked teeth
Often, children who have spent a lot of time sucking on their thumb or fingers may also need braces. This habit puts undue pressure on the teeth, and in particular, it can cause the front teeth to fall out. Ideally, you should help your child by encouraging them to stop sucking on their finger. Next, you should consult an orthodontist for braces, while also monitoring your child’s mouth yourself. In any case, the problem is proportional to the frequency and intensity of sucking and should be treated at a very young age.
Incorrect jaw position (upper or lower)
In other cases, your child’s teeth may not indicate that they need braces, but instead, the position of one or both jaws will be one of the first signs you notice. In particular, this happens in cases where children have facial asymmetry or when the lower teeth protrude further out than the upper ones. This means that the teeth are not properly aligned in either the upper or lower dentition and thus, need treatment.
Dr. Penny Mitilineou
Χειρουργός ΟδοντίατροςDental Surgeon
Specialization in Orthodontics
