When it comes to braces, a common question that parents have is how to know if their child needs them. There are a number of different reasons that your child may benefit from braces and the best way to determine if they are really necessary is to schedule regular dental visits. There are a number of issues that can be detected and treated as early as nine months, to help and prevent the need for braces in the future.
However, the fact remains that thousands of children get braces in Beach every year and knowing the warning signs that your child needs them can be beneficial. Some of the biggest risk factors, and tell-tale signs your child could benefit from braces are highlighted here.
- Baby teeth that are lost early (before the age of five), late (after the age of 13) or irregularly.
- A clear issue biting and chewing.
- Teeth that have become blocked-out, misplaced or crowded.
- Jaws that “pop” or that shift.
- Biting of the roof of the mouth of the cheek.
- Teeth that are not meeting at all, or abnormally.
Why Does the Need for Braces Arise?
The majority of orthodontic issues are considered to be genetic, which means that the problem was inherited. However, there are a number of other issues that will develop over time because of poor nutrition, accidents, dental decay, mouth breathing or finger or thumb sucking.
How will Braces be Beneficial for Children?
When an issue with a child’s bite is detected early on, then treatment can be given to fix the problem, offering both short and long term benefits. There are other developmental issues that are not as critical, which means that many adults have to seek orthodontic care later in life. Any type of issue that is classified as a “bad bite” can be reduced when proper orthodontic treatment is sought. Some of the primary issues include:
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Extra or missing teeth
- Underbite or overbite
- A jaw position that is incorrect
When should a Child First be Evaluated for Orthodontic Care?
The evaluation of your child will be based on their particular bite or jaw issues. For some children, orthodontic care may be necessary at ages as early as seven, while others will have this treatment when they reach their teens. This is something that will be determined by your dentist.
