Your Orthodontist Lists 5 Warning Signs That Your Child Needs Braces

As your child grows and develops, there are several things you have to monitor, and one of them is his or her oral health. Thus, you want to be aware of any evidence of developing issues. Your orthodontist says there are 5 warning signs of malocclusion (bite problems) that you should be on the lookout for, and when you notice them, you should have your child examined. Find out what the signs are and how braces can help as you continue reading.

Sign #1 – Crowding of the Teeth

Human teeth are designed to fit snuggly yet uniformly-aligned in the mouth. When there is crowding, your child’s ability to chew food properly and perform proper oral hygiene diminishes to a great degree.

By addressing the issue early, though, a non-invasive method like wearing braces can be used to correct your child’s bite woes.

Sign #2 – Crossbites

The term ‘crossbite’ refers to a condition where the jaw deviates from its centered position and moves to either side. This creates malocclusion, which can lead to the following problems:

• Worn and chipped teeth
• TMJ (temporomandibular joint) pain
• Permanently imbalanced jaw structure.

When attention is given to the issue early enough, an orthodontist can use a combination of an expander (a device that gradually widens the jaw to create space) and braces to properly align the teeth.

Sign #3 – Thumb-Sucking

If your child suckles on his or her thumb past the age of five, then you may need to intervene because it’s a probable sign of future orthodontic challenges. Untreated, this can cause narrowing of the upper jaw, protruding front teeth and a significant overbite, where the upper, prominent teeth don’t touch the lower set.

To help your child stop the habit, you can paint a bitter liquid on the thumb that will produce an unfavorable taste. For more acute cases, you may need to secure an orthodontic appliance that prevents the thumb from touching the roof of the mouth.

For situations where the habit has gone on for a prolonged period of time, both an expander and braces may be required.

Sign #4 – Protruding Teeth

Not only can thumb-sucking contribute to protruding teeth, but an overbite can also be hereditary. It can leave your child susceptible to oral health problems like gum disease and cavities, a greater risk of oral injury and ridicule from his or her peers.

Thankfully, through early treatment with braces, the problem can be reversed, and your child can enjoy a properly-aligned smile.

Sign #5 – Smile Shame

Is your child reluctant to smile? If so, then this could lead to serious and lasting emotional trauma. A recent study shows that at least 90% of girls want to change something about their appearance, and a major contributor to that way of thinking is bullying, which happens every seven seconds in schools across the country.

When you take your child to visit an orthodontist to be fitted with braces in Newark, you are moving proactively to create a healthier and happier life for him or her. So to schedule a consultation, reach out to a staff member today.

About the Author

Dr. Timothy G. Wigal earned his dental degree from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry. He would later go on to receive a certificate of specialty in orthodontics from the West Virginia University Department of Orthodontics. Dr. Wigal helps children overcome bite woes with braces at Wigal Orthodontics, and he can be reached for more information through his website.