As a parent, you want your child to grow up healthy and confident, including when it comes to their smile. While some dental issues are easy to spot, others are more subtle, including issues such as crookedness or their bite alignment. So how can you tell if your little tyke might need braces? In this article, you’ll learn about how to spot the signs that your child may require orthodontic treatment.
Crowded or Overlapping Teeth
If your child’s teeth seem to be competing for space or growing in at odd angles, it’s a strong sign that braces might be needed. Crowded or overlapping teeth can make brushing and flossing difficult, leading to cavities and gum issues down the road. Braces can remedy these problems and make a healthy oral hygiene routine much easier for your child.
Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
Losing baby (primary) teeth too early or too late can disrupt the natural alignment of permanent teeth. Most child begin losing their primary teeth during elementary school age. If your child’s baby teeth fall out far earlier or much later than expected, it’s worth checking in with a dentist or orthodontist to see if the adult teeth are coming in properly.
Bite Problems
If your child’s upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly when they bite down, that’s called a malocclusion. Common bite issues include:
- Overbite – With an overbite, upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth.
- Underbite – If your child has an underbite, it means the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper teeth.
- Crossbite – A crossbite means that some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting down.
These bite problems can lead to uneven wear, jaw pain, or even speech difficulties if left untreated.
Difficulty Chewing or Speaking
If your child often complains about discomfort when chewing or has trouble pronouncing certain words or sounds, misaligned teeth or jaw issues may be the cause. Of course, a speech impediment isn’t always caused by these issues, but your dentist can determine if they are the root cause during an examination.
Thumb Sucking and Mouth Breathing
Prolonged thumb sucking or mouth breathing beyond the toddler years can affect how the teeth and jaws develop. These habits may push teeth out of alignment or change the shape of the palate, increasing the likelihood of needing orthodontic treatment.
Jaws That Pop, Click, or Shift
If your child hears their jaw make clicking sounds, shifts when opening or closing, or looks asymmetrical, these may be signs of underlying alignment issues. Addressing jaw problems early with orthodontics can help prevent more complex treatments later.
Even if everything seems fine on the surface, there could be hidden alignment problems developing under the gums. That’s why early orthodontic evaluations are so important – they allow your dental team to monitor your child’s growth and intervene if necessary at just the right time.
About the Author
Dr. Justyna Balicka is a graduate of the New York University College of Dentistry where she was inducted into the Omicron Kappa Upsilon Dental Honor Society and awarded multiple service distinctions. After a year of general residency, she also underwent three years of an orthodontic residency program at St. Barnabas Hospital in New York. Dr. Balicka and our team offer a family-oriented atmosphere with flexible appointment times during evenings and weekends for your convenience. If you would like to schedule a consultation to determine if your child needs braces, call our Huntington office at (631) 423-7857 or visit our website.