What are the signs and symptoms that a child needs braces?

Article by Remarkable Smiles

According to the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) children as young as seven should visit an orthodontist for their first consultation. Although an orthodontist cannot treat a child at such a young age, they will be able to recommend preventative methods that will help a child’s teeth and jaw grow correctly, while addressing future concerns.

Signs that your child may require a visit to an orthodontist include:

Difficulty chewing or biting – If your child finds it hard to bit and chew his food, chances are that his teeth and jaw are misaligned.

Teeth grinding – Children may grind their teeth due to a misaligned jaw. Left untreated, teeth grinding causes teeth to shift.

Mouth breathing – When children breathe from their mouths, their faces can elongate as their jaws become narrower.

Thumb-sucking – Thumb-sucking can cause the front teeth to move forward causing overlapping. Often children will stop this habit between 2-4 years, but if the habit persists, your child will most probably need braces.

Overcrowding – If a child’s teeth are too close together, they will overlap. Overlapped teeth will look uneven, are difficult to clean, and are prone to decay.

Misalignment – Misaligned jaws can have an overbite, underbite, or crossbite that affects speech and chewing. A child may also click their jaws due to a misalignment.

Investing in a child’s teeth can assist a child with basic functions like speech and chewing while helping them maintain healthy teeth and gums. Straight teeth are easier to clean making them less susceptible to damage and decay. As an added advantage, you will be able to offer your child the benefits of a beautiful smile which can improve their self-esteem and help them fair better in school, work, and social situations.

Dr. Mark Rashidi and his staff at Remarkable Smiles want to help you improve your smile. He is an Orthodontist in Laguna Hills serving surrounding cities including Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Niguel, and Irvine. Dr. Mark is highly experienced in all types of braces including Invisalign, traditional metal braces, and ceramic braces.