Are your child’s teeth crooked? Does your dentist inform you that your kid has a problem with his or her teeth that requires orthodontics?
There are some misconceptions about orthodontic treatment. Braces are frequently thought to be only for straightening crooked teeth. Orthodontists can also repair any abnormalities in the jaw and bite, in addition to straightening crooked teeth. If your child has any of these issues addressed early on, the treatment will be easier. Not to mention the long-term advantages of therapy, such as general dental health and self-esteem.
We’re replacing 20 infant teeth with 32 permanent teeth as we grow into adults. Teeth must develop in the proper order and position. The jaw is expanding and developing at the same time.
Due to this complex development of many different teeth erupting at different times throughout childhood, it is extremely rare that your teeth would develop perfectly. It’s incredible that such a complicated procedure doesn’t generate more problems.
Orthodontic treatment may be recommended for your youngster if he or she has any of the following issues:
Crooked teeth
Teeth that are crooked can be embarrassing for your son/daughter, and they might lead to bigger issues. In some circumstances, only one or two teeth are misaligned. Teeth that are crooked may indicate a variety of issues. Some of the problems they may encounter include difficulty chewing, problems with self-esteem/confidence, an increase in plaque buildup, and even headaches. Heart difficulties are possible in extreme/rare situations.
Difficulty chewing food
Food chewing difficulties can be caused by misaligned teeth. This is not only inconvenient while eating, but it can also lead to poor nutrition and other health issues. It might be tough to open and close your mouth if you have a more severe bite or jaw problem.
Overbite or underbite
The child’s teeth might protrude beyond the lower teeth, causing the youngster to bite the top of his or her mouth or cheeks. This uncomfortable problem is thought to affect 25-30% of children’s orthodontic cases. If this condition is severe, it may necessitate surgery in addition to orthodontics to completely cure it. If detected early enough by an orthodontist, surgery may frequently be avoided.
Crossbite
This occurs when the top teeth fit inside the lower teeth, which can cause jaw development to be misaligned. When we chew, we apply up to 200 pounds of force to our teeth. Crossbites can cause discomfort in the future if not addressed. A crossbite can cause the jaw to develop unevenly, resulting in a deformed appearance. When faced with these issues for children, orthodontists frequently recommend braces early on. Solving the problem earlier can help relieve you of potential issues later on.
Do you or your child bite the sides of your cheeks? If so, that is a sign that your teeth are not properly aligned. It can be an unpleasant problem and it can turn an otherwise pleasant experience into a painful one quite quickly.
Deep bite
In a deep bite, the top teeth completely cover the lower teeth. If the lower teeth come into contact with the roof of the mouth, this can be a serious problem. When the lower teeth strike the roof of the mouth, it puts pressure on gums on the top of the mouth. Chewing becomes difficult because of the pressure put on your teeth during chewing. This sort of orthodontic issue is harder to treat than most others and may require longer treatment times in order to fix it with orthodontics
Open bite
This is when the teeth in front don’t touch, even though the teeth behind them do. It’s difficult to chew, bite, and swallow with this condition. Open bites can also cause speech issues. Patients with open bites will often say that eating something as simple as a sandwich is difficult for them. The lettuce or other items within the sandwich will not be cut from biting, and when they eat, the middle of the sandwich will come out. Kids experiencing these problems often have self confidence problems.
Spacing
Abnormal gaps in the teeth is a spacing issue. It is extremely common with young children. Some spacing can be a good thing when they are young, however, too much is a bad thing. Braces or Invisalign are easy ways to correct spacing issues with teeth. As usual, treating this condition earlier gives us better results and faster. Orthodontics treatment will often be scheduled to give the best long-term results and management of the patient.
There are a variety of causes for spacing to appear. Because of that, not every instance of spacing is handled in the same way. If your kid has spacing, you should have his or her teeth and bite evaluated by an orthodontist.