Should your child get braces?

The growing incidence and prevalence rates of oral issues call for necessary treatment options. For instance, one in five Americans suffers from an improper bite or a malocclusion. Children mostly face a lot of oral problems. Misaligned bites are prevalent among children, and braces can protect your child from such difficulties and decrease any cavities risk.

Getting braces requires proper evaluation of the oral health of your child. Below are a few factors that can help you decide whether your child should get braces.

Crooked Teeth

If your child has overlapping or twisted teeth, it is a primary sign that they need braces for correction. There are several reasons behind crooked teeth, but an on-time correction is necessary to eliminate the situation.

Thumb Sucking

If your child has a history of thumb sucking, you might need to pay attention to your child’s oral problems. 8 out of 10 children possess this habit, and experts from the field suggest that it causes permanent dental damage. Thumb sucking increases crossbites, overbites, and a high risk of malocclusion, leading to misaligned teeth. You can consult a professional from meridian pediatric dentistry to get a clear idea about the correction of misaligned teeth.

The Visible Gaps Between the Teeth

Thumb sucking can lead to a diastema, also known as gapped teeth. The motion can pull the teeth in front or vice versa. With this movement, there creates a gap between the teeth. Also, if the teeth are too small or too big for the jaw bone, it can result in gap formation. Children’s braces can help in closing these gaps and bringing the teeth together.

Complains Regarding Mouth Pain

Misaligned teeth problems can cause severe discomfort and pain. The unequal distribution of the biting forces in the mouth leads to pain. A few teeth can even bite down forcefully, causing more discomfort. If your child faces pain while talking or eating, you might need to book an appointment with a pediatric dentist.

Odd Noises from Jaws

If your child complained about clicking sounds from their mouth, it might result due to jaw problems. The odd noises also signal towards the temporomandibular joint disorder. Braces can correct any issues related to the jaw and prevent any jaw disorders.

Does Your Child Bite their Cheeks?

Unintentional biting of the cheek is a sign of improper alignment of the jaw. The lower or upper teeth bite down on the side of the mouth, leading to mouth injuries. Moreover, it can even result in infections if not treated immediately. If your child is complaining about such a situation, do not ignore the fact and immediately seek emergency or urgent dental care.

Improper Overlapping of Upper Teeth by Lower Teeth and Vice Versa

Scientifically called overbite and underbite, it makes the teeth sit too far away from the original place. Apart from the thumb sucking habit, the prolonged use of pacifiers or bottles can also contribute to developing such kind of malocclusion. An underbite makes it harder for the child to chew the food. It can strain the jaw muscles and teeth, leading to high levels of discomfort. The pain will tend to increase and will interfere with daily activities, such as eating and talking. Braces help correctly align the child’s teeth; therefore, before the pain gets worse, take your child to the pediatric dentist.

Does Your Child Breath Through the Mouth?

Breathing through the nose is a rare sign, but well signifies the need for teeth correction. Different types of malocclusion can lead to discomfort, making your child breathe through the mouth. The teeth’ incorrect position often can affect the locale of the tongue, contributing to breathing difficulties. As a result, pay keen attention to the small details to understand if your child needs a set of braces.

The Benefits of Getting Braces at an Early Age

• Many a time, children fear the idea of getting braces. However, there are several options apart from the traditional ones, such as clear braces and retainers. Braces help in slowly moving the teeth into a proper alignment.
• Straight teeth permit the child to speak and eat more efficiently.
• Straight teeth are easy to clean and are significantly less likely to decay.
• Getting braces decreases the pressure on the gum tissues and render overall oral health.
• If you address malocclusion at a tender age, it is easier to correct.
• Braces can improve the child’s self-confidence with straight teeth and create a dramatic impact on the social and emotional wellbeing of your child.

All the above oral problems that point out the need for braces are painful for your child. Getting a consultation with a pediatric orthodontist at the correct time is therefore crucial. Children’s braces act as a considerable investment as it keeps future dental issues at bay.