When it comes to oral hygiene, many parents might ask themselves “Do my kids need braces?” or “How can I find out if they do?” Those are important questions to ask; it is vital you start letting your little ones see a dentist early in life. Early detection of orthodontic problems can have a significant impact on treating them, especially if you have years ahead to fix the problem.
The best age for getting braces can vary from child to child. That said, the general age range lies somewhere between 8 and 14 when kids already have some or all of their permanent teeth. As well, between those ages children are still growing, making it easier to make the right adjustments to align the teeth.
Benefits of Braces
Braces provide plenty of benefits aside from the aesthetic, including:
- Oral health improvements – Braces are a great way to correct dental problems like a misaligned bite. These complications can often put a strain on the teeth; orthodontic care is a solution to straighten the teeth and provide greater safety when you eat and speak.
- Increased confidence – Straight teeth are often a path to greater confidence and success, especially when your kids hit puberty.
- Ease of cleaning – Straight teeth are clean teeth; crooked teeth are much harder to clean, caused by the pockets created by misalignment. Straight teeth make it easier for your kids to brush every surface of the teeth for more effective cleaning. Straight teeth also provide easier access to the space between teeth, allowing for greater convenience when flossing.
Signs Your Kids Need Braces
As your child’s teeth and jaws develop, there are certain signs you can detect to help determine if they need orthodontic care. Keep an eye out for these signs to identify any problems early so your children can get effective treatment right away:
- Crowding – Crowded and crooked teeth are typically the common reasons most parents consider braces for their kids. Teeth become crowded due to a lack of space in the mouth. As the teeth compete for limited space, they push together and end up coming out crooked. Crooked teeth come with a plethora of problems (e.g. discomfort when biting and difficulty cleaning) that can cause more complications later. It is important you take your kids to the dentist to get the problem looked at right away. Quick and early orthodontic care is key to minimizing the impact of crowded teeth.
- Missing teeth – Normally, once your kids start losing their baby teeth, permanent teeth should start emerging to replace them. However, for some kids, permanent teeth do not come in on their own. This leaves a visible gap that can become a pocket for trapped food to collect over time. Braces are a great solution to the issue; dentists can use them to pull the surrounding teeth into the correct places and achieve a straight smile. Dental clinics also have access to technology that allows them to see if a tooth hasn’t emerged so they can plan your little one’s orthodontic care appropriately.
- Misaligned jaw position – Ordinarily, a little overbite is not out of the ordinary, where the upper teeth overlap over the bottom teeth slightly. However, there are more extreme cases where the upper teeth extend far enough that you cannot see your child’s bottom over the upper ones. Alternatively, it may be an underbite (where the lower teeth extend over the upper teeth). Misaligned teeth generally make chewing difficult, so visit the orthodontist immediately to correct your child’s bite. Braces and rubber bands can usually realign the teeth and jaws to make speech and eating easier for your little one.
- Early or late loss of baby teeth – Baby teeth are supposed to start coming out when your child is around seven, but it sometimes happens that the teeth start falling out early or late. Losing the baby teeth too early can cause the surrounding teeth to move into the area, taking up space the adult teeth need when they emerge. However, baby teeth that fall out late may lead to alignment issues. Visit the dentist to get a professional opinion on your childs’ baby teeth. In case braces are needed, it is a good way to get your little ones’ teeth straightened and arranged properly.
- Prolonged thumb sucking – Thumb sucking is normal for very young children who need something to sooth them, but sucking can have an impact on the development of the teeth. Long-term thumb sucking can contribute to tooth crowding and can push the front upper teeth outward, resulting in an open bite. Start discouraging the habit around the age of two; by then, a child’s baby teeth should all have emerged. Additionally, limit the use of a pacifier at around the same age to prevent a similar outcome.
- Mouth breathing – Mouth breathing is generally a sign of a problem; pay close attention if you notice your children resorting to frequent breathing through the mouth. In the case of teeth, mouth breathing can come about because of an inability to rest the tongue against the roof of the mouth. Frequent mouth breathing can become a cause for concern. It leaves your little one’s mouth open for regular periods, which can affect the development of the face and the amount of space needed for adult teeth.
- Speech impediments – The teeth have a noticeable effect on speech; some of the sounds you make when you talk depend on proper placement of the front teeth, for example. However, when the teeth lean too far forward or backward, they can affect your child’s speech, making it sound less clear. A noticeable lisp can be a sign of an issue with your child’s teeth; in the case of a lisp, it is usually because the teeth do not meet in the centre. Visit the dentist if your child starts developing a speech impediment to address the problem and help them speak more clearly.
- Oral pain – While some orthodontic problems can be seen, some are felt instead. If your child tells you they are experiencing mouth or jaw pain, particularly when eating, there may be an orthodontic reason for it. Consult your family dentist to find the root cause and start doing something about it.
As parents, it is vital you find a dentist you can trust with your childs’ teeth. Springdale Dental Centre boasts excellent dental service and caring staff you can count on. We pride ourselves on offering specialized treatment to help you keep your mouth in tip-top condition. Call us now at (905) 458-1212 or visit our contact page for your first appointment.
