How To Tell if Your Child Needs Braces

Dental health is more than brushing at least twice a day to avoid cavities. The alignment of your child’s teeth is just as important, and not solely for appearance's sake.

Tooth alignment can affect the child’s bite, which can influence how they talk, or how well they can chew their food. Sometimes, to treat tooth alignment issues in children, some orthodontic methods like braces are needed,

The sooner you get your child to see an orthodontist, the better. When addressed early, the treatment plan is often much simpler, and the child could be wearing the braces for longer periods of time. But how can you tell if your child needs braces?

Look for These Signs To Know if Your Child Should Get Braces

Braces can address lots of different alignment problems, so the symptoms can be diverse. However, parents should look for the following signs that could indicate the need for at least a visit to the orthodontist:

• Problems chewing food - If your child seems to have a hard time chewing their food, or even biting, their tooth alignment could be affecting it. It’s also common for children to make a fuss around mealtime and avoid eating because their bite is bothering them, even if they don’t explicitly mention it.
• Teeth grinding - This can also be a sign of misalignment, especially if it occurs while the child sleeps. When left untreated, teeth grinding can create permanent damage to the teeth.
• Prolonged oral habits - It’s normal for children to bite or suck on items, especially when their baby teeth first erupt. These habits usually stop at around 2-4 years old, but if your child is older and still doing these habits, it can either be because of or lead to alignment issues.
• Visible issues - If you notice your child’s teeth are visibly misaligned, crowded, you see the signs of shark teeth, then you should take them to an orthodontist for a consultation.
• Problems with the jaw - If you notice the child’s jaw is clicking, or the child complains of jaw pain when they eat or talk, it can be because of tooth misalignment or even crowding. An orthodontist can help you determine why the child’s jaw is acting up.

Routine Visits Are Key to Long-Term Dental Health

Just like adults, children need to see the dentist routinely for preventative treatment. This way, the dentist can spot any issues with the child’s bite in time, before they can create problems with how the child eats or talks.

Not only that, but together with good at-home oral hygiene, frequent dentist visits are the best thing parents can do to ensure the long-term dental health of their children!

Looking for a Pediatric Dentist in Ashland? Stop by Timber Kids Dentistry

Timber Kids Dentistry is here to help parents address their children’s dental health needs with expert dental services delivered with a caring touch. To learn more about our pediatric orthodontics services, please visit us at Timber Kids Orthodontics.‍

Book a consultation with us now!