Your children always make you smile – and when they grin back at you, you notice one of the traits you hoped you wouldn’t pass on to them: your crooked teeth. Although only some of their adult dentitions have come in, you wonder if they need braces. How can you tell? The team at Capron Park Dental is here to help. In this post, your children’s dentist in Attleboro gives you the information you need to know if it’s time to straighten their smile.
How Can I Tell If My Child Needs Braces?
Dr. Andrew Luccio and Dr. William Herr always suggest that parents should follow the recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontists – every child should have an evaluation by an orthodontist no later than the age of seven. In this appointment, we’ll be able to check for developmental problems, and to get an early start in correcting alignment issues that can cause pain and lead to gum disease and other dental problems. Kids who could benefit from braces generally present with the following issues:
- Crowded teeth
- Rotated teeth
- Overbite – The lower jaw is smaller than the upper jaw and the top front teeth stick out farther than the lower ones.
- Underbite – The opposite of an overbite. The upper jaw is smaller than the lower jaw and the lower front teeth are positioned more forward than the upper ones.
- Openbite – In this condition, the front teeth do not make contact when the jaw is closed.
- Crossbite – A lateral (or side-to-side) misalignment of the teeth and jaw, a crossbite causes the upper teeth to close on the inside of the lower teeth.
- Difficulty chewing
- Problems with speech, such as lisping
- Early, late, or irregular loss of baby their teeth
- Biting the cheek or roof of their mouths
- Jaws or teeth that are not proportional in size to the rest of their face
- Popping, clicking, or pain in the jaw
When Is Waiting For Braces A Better Idea?
According to newer research, kids with an overjet (which is different from an overbite) can often end up needing an additional method of treatment if braces are started to early. Since kids mouths, jaws, and teeth are still developing, they could end up needing 4 years of treatment (rather than just two years), if orthodontics are started too early. Since we’re dedicated to providing proper treatment and avoiding unnecessary procedures (as well as fees), we’ll make a definite determination on if and when your child should receive braces. Either way, your kids should see us at least every six months so we can ensure their smiles are healthy and keep a close eye on the development of their dentitions.
If you have questions about braces for your child, contact the team at Capron Park Dental or schedule an appointment with us today!