Does My Child Need Braces? Find Out.

You will be surprised to know that nearly 4.5 million Americans wear braces on their teeth and most of them are children and teenagers.

Whether to fix misaligned teeth or correct overbites, braces are one of the popular dental solutions to help your child smile and live confidently.

Whether or not it is the right option for your child is a question many parents face.

Don’t worry. 

Here are 5 signs that indicate that support dental braces: 

1.Crooked & crowded teeth

Does your child feel any pain or discomfort while chewing or speaking?

If yes, this is the most obvious sign that he or she may need braces. They straighten the misaligned teeth. 

Crooked and crowded teeth can make your child feel embarrassed in social gatherings and can negatively affect his or her self-esteem.

If left untreated, this could lead to tooth decay, bad breath, or other dental problems. 

2. Thumb sucking

While thumb sucking is normal among toddlers and young children, it is an early sign that braces can’t be written off in the near future. 

It can influence the way their teeth grow and can result in misaligned teeth.

Active thumb sucking can also trigger poor oral health and your child may end up with overcrowded teeth. Help your child quit thumb-sucking at the age of 2 when all their teeth have come out.

3. Early loss of baby teeth

If your child is losing baby teeth too early or irregularly, they may need braces to prevent the leftover teeth from occupying the empty spaces and causing dental alignment problems.

Moreover, it can also result in crooked teeth which can be fixed with braces. Braces hold these empty spaces together so that other teeth can develop normally.

4. Mouth breathing

Children who breathe through their mouths have higher chances of getting braces.

Mouth breathing can affect the shape of the face and growth of the teeth.

The root cause of mouth breathing is the inability of your child’s tongue to sit on the top of the mouth. 

This can lead to developing a longer face with narrow jaws without leaving enough space for adult teeth to grow and can result in jaw problems.

5. Misaligned jaw

Does your child have an uneven jaw?

A misaligned jaw is often due to teeth misalignment and can cause overbites, underbites, and crossbites.

Noticing this sign early can help fix the problem. Braces can straighten your child’s teeth and set the jaw in the correct position.

In the end…

American Association of Orthodontists suggests children should consult an orthodontist by age 7.

If you notice any of the above signs, consult an orthodontist.

An orthodontist can help you determine whether your child needs braces or not.

Looking for a family orthodontist in Herndon? Get in touch with us today!