8 Signs Your Child May Needs Braces
- Do the upper teeth protrude?
- Are the teeth crowded?
- Are there spaces between the teeth
- Is there a deep bite?
- Is there an underbite?
- Is there an open bite?
- How is the spacing between the teeth?
- Do the midlines line up?
It’s not always easy to know if your child needs braces or not. Some signs or habits that you may look for are finger or thumb sucking. If your child is a mouth breather that could be of some concern for bite related issues down the line. Early or late loss of baby teeth or even missing baby teeth can be an issue.
Are their jaws in proportion with the rest of their face? Something else that is indication board on treatment our joint sounds. Meaning when they open or close their mouth do their joints pop? Do they make sounds or do their jaws shift upon closure? That could also be another sign for the dying treatment as well.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be seen by an orthodontist no later than the age of 7. An orthodontist has two to three years of extra specialized education beyond dental school giving them the ability to pick up on subtle problems that may present in your child at an early age.
Some of the misconceptions that parents may have about bringing their child into an orthodontist at an early age or that for one that they need a referral from their dentist, and this is not true.
Many times, parents can anticipate that something is going on with their child’s bite or jaws and at that time should bring the child in to see the orthodontist. Another misconception I find is that parents wait for all their child’s adult teeth to erupt and again by bringing your child into an orthodontist at an early age you are allowing the orthodontist to make a decision as to whether or not treatment is needed in the first place. But also, that if treatment is necessary, when is the appropriate time for that to be get started.
At the first appointment orthodontists are looking for several factors. When a child comes in the orthodontist conducts a quick and easy exam where they’re evaluating namely the patient’s face initially to look at the direction of growth of the jaws and to see if they’re growing in proportion to each other and we’re looking at the child’s teeth does the child have a deep bite do they have a cross bite do they have an open bite or do they have spacing or crowding of the teeth and is the issue severe enough to indicate orthodontic treatment.
Most children, if treatment is needed, will actually start orthodontic treatment between the ages 9 and 14. It is rare, but not unheard of, that some children might receive orthodontic therapy before this age depending on their needs. Depending on the case, some of the new breakthroughs available for children today include brackets that are small and sleek that can either be tied in with colorful elastics or that actually can close on their own. Additionally depending on the child’s case, the child may have ceramic brackets which are the color of their teeth or they can have clear plastic aligners to straighten their teeth out as well.
My job as an orthodontist is to give my patients a beautiful smile and my patients motivation and compliance through our treatment is essential to making that happen. If I find that my patient starts to not follow instructions as well what I generally do is show them pictures of what can happen and the consequences of not following instructions properly. Compliance does not end after teeth are moved into their final position. There is a stage of orthodontic treatment called retention where if necessary your orthodontist will prescribe you retainer where if your orthodontist does prescribe your retainer where it is essential that you follow his or her instructions.
There are many benefits of orthodontic treatment for children. There’s obviously an improvement and not only the way their teeth fit together and their ability to chew but also in the child’s ability to clean their teeth which is important for the long-term health of the team. Additionally many children feel a boost in their self-confidence as they have more comfort in their ability to smile.
To discover if your child needs braces or orthodontic treatment, contact one of your convenient orthodontist locations in Carson City, Dayton, Yerington, Mammoth Lakes or Bishop.
