When might your child need braces?
Photo by Jenna Tyson on Unsplash
A beautiful smile is one of the best things about a person’s appearance. When you see someone with a beautiful smile, it energizes you. But when your child has crooked or misshapen teeth, it can be heartbreaking for them. Children need straight teeth to chew their food properly. In addition, it can be difficult for them to pronounce words, speak clearly, and even eat properly when they don’t have straight teeth.
Braces are one of the best ways to help your child get rid of crooked and misshapen teeth and get them the smile they deserve. Here are 10 signs that your child could need braces.
Overcrowded teeth
The first thing you need to look for is crowded front teeth. If the upper and lower front teeth are too close together, your child is likely to have difficulty chewing, which will lead to problems in their overall health. If they have any gaps between their front teeth, it could be causing speech issues.
Overbites
If your child has an overbite and it’s very severe, they will most likely experience speech disabilities. In addition, their bite could shift around, so their jaw could become misaligned.
Crossbites
If your child has a crossbite, they might have protruding front teeth. In addition, it can be very difficult for them to chew properly because of this condition. If you have a child with a crossbite, they will also experience speech problems and difficulties swallowing and even chewing foods.
Crooked and misshapen teeth
If your child has crooked teeth and misshapen teeth, they might experience trouble with speech as well as swallowing since they will not be able to chew their food properly. Also, they might need to have braces in the future and need to wear them for long periods.
If you notice this issue, you may visit an orthodontist in NJ who can provide you with a diagnosis and determine what type of braces will work best for your child. They will straighten your child’s teeth, which will make the right ones match up with the others. This can help your child’s speech and resolve eating issues.
Underbites
An underbite is one of the most severe issues that your child can have with their bite. If they have an underbite, their lower teeth will protrude. In addition, they might have difficulty chewing properly or even get food caught between their teeth.
Thumb-sucking
If your child has thumb-sucking habits, it can be difficult for them to speak properly. In addition, it can cause them to lose their teeth prematurely, and the teeth that remain will be misaligned.
Lost baby teeth late
If your child has not lost their baby teeth by the time they are seven years old, it will be very difficult for them to speak properly. In addition, it will be more difficult for them to chew their food. They might also have misaligned teeth.
Teeth grinding
If your child grinds their teeth, even at night, it can cause the enamel on their teeth to wear off. In addition, if they have been grinding or clenching their teeth for a long time, it might also lead to jaw misalignment and problems with the arch of their mouth.
Mouth breathing
If your child is breathing through their mouth all the time, this is another sign that they need to get braces. In addition, it can also lead to speech problems and oral complications.
Crowded mouth boils
If your child’s mouth has boils frequently, it means that they cannot eat properly because of the food stuck between their teeth and pain. If you suspect this is the case with your child, you should seek the help of a dentist soon.
Conclusion
Braces can make a huge difference in how your child looks and feels. If you suspect that your child needs braces, look into the different types of braces that are available to help them get straight teeth. In addition, you should look for a dentist specializing in orthodontics because they have the proper tools and experience to help your child get straight teeth. It’s important to get braces as soon as possible because if your child has crooked teeth, they will likely develop issues with their bite, jaw alignment, and speech.