Three Signs Your Child Might Need Early Orthodontic Treatment
Your child's dental health can affect their overall health and well-being. Orthodontic conditions in young children can cause speech problems, hinder proper dental hygiene, and increase the risk of corrective treatments in the future. Managing these conditions early saves money and safeguards the dental health of kids. Therefore, it's vital to look out for a few signs that indicate your child might require early orthodontic treatment.
Bite Problems
Does your child have bite problems? Do the teeth in the upper and lower jaws meet properly? Dental conditions, such as an abnormal bite or overbite, can cause teeth misalignment in children. Consequently, the child may develop speech problems or experience difficulties when chewing or biting. Bite problems can also cause children to accidentally bite their tongue or inner cheeks.
Early orthodontic intervention can resolve bite problems in children and avert the above issues. For example, braces can correct bite issues and position the jaw properly. In severe cases of overbites, your orthodontist can design a growth modification device to realign the jaw. Addressing bite problems early will prevent severe malocclusion in adulthood.
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth occur when your child develops teeth that are bigger than the available space in the jaw. The lack of adequate space causes the erupting teeth to curve, rotate, or overlap. If your child has crowded baby teeth, they may get crowded permanent teeth as well. Thus, it's crucial to fix the teeth to prevent intervention procedures in their teenage or adult years.
There are different orthodontic procedures that can fix crowded or crooked teeth. If there isn't enough space for your child's teeth, your orthodontist can use a palatal expander on the upper jaw to expand its arch and create room for all the teeth. Braces can also straighten crooked milk teeth and lower the risk of developing crooked permanent teeth.
Prolonged Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking is a natural reflex that allows babies to comfort themselves. Most children stop sucking their thumb between the ages of six months and four years. Prolonged thumb sucking, usually past the age of five years, can have detrimental effects on your child's dental health. This habit can cause an overbite, an open bite, teeth misalignment, and speech problems. These dental problems increase the need for orthodontic treatment in the future.
If your five-year-old child is still sucking their thumb, keep your eye out for bite and teeth misalignment problems. Your child may require braces to fix any existing damage to the teeth and jaw. Besides seeking orthodontic treatment, use positive reinforcement to discourage thumb sucking and safeguard your child's dental health.
Addressing orthodontic issues early lowers the risk of seeking treatment in the future. If you notice any of the above symptoms in your child, make an appointment with a local orthodontist.