Concerned about the dental well-being of your child? Wondering if braces could be the solution they need? If this resonates with you, you’ve found the correct spot! This piece intends to illuminate the importance of braces for your child and the array of advantages they offer. Get ready to explore the realm of orthodontic care tailored specifically for children!
Crossbites
Crossbites occur when the upper teeth are located inside the lower when the jaw closes, instead of outside and slightly ahead of them. This problem can cause difficulty chewing and can have long-term effects on jaw and facial development. Additionally, a crossbite can lead to TMJ and pain in the jaw muscles.
If you or your child’s orthodontist notices a crossbite, they may suggest treatment with braces in order to correct it. Braces will force the upper teeth out ahead of the lower teeth as they should, releasing any physical strain on the jaws. In some cases, your orthodontist may recommend wearing a dental appliance overnight in order to better guide the teeth into place more quickly.
As with any orthodontic issue, it is best to consult with a professional before making any decisions about treatment.
Permanent Teeth That Are Growing Into the Wrong Spots
One of the top reasons a child may need braces is if their permanent teeth are coming in positioned incorrectly. When this occurs, the crowded teeth put pressure on each other and can even create dangerous gaps that allow food particles to get lodged between them. These misaligned teeth can also lead to uneven growth and chewing patterns, which can lead to speech difficulties as well.
Braces work to realign the bigger, adult teeth by slowly pulling them into a normal position over time. This redistributes the pressure on other teeth, creating uniformity and preventing trapped food particles.
Underbites
Underbites are one of the most common orthodontic problems in children, and one that can often benefit from having braces. An underbite occurs when the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth when the jaw is closed, resulting from either an undergrowth of the lower jaw or an overgrowth of the upper jaw. Left untreated, this can cause speech impediments, difficulty eating, and persistent jaw pain.
While many cases of underbites are successfully treated with just orthodontic plates, in more severe cases braces may be needed. Braces will help move your child’s teeth into their proper positions. In the case of underbites caused by lower jaw overgrowths, braces, and other orthodontic devices will help move the teeth while encouraging downward growth of the lower jaw.
Additionally, it can help counteract instances where your child’s growth in terms of facial development is slowing down or lacking entirely; braces provide support to promote continued growth even after adolescence has ended. Finally, if it is determined that surgery is necessary for your child’s underbite treatment plan, wearing braces to straighten their bite prior to surgery can provide better results following their procedure.
It is important that you contact an experienced orthodontist if you think your child may have an underbite as soon as possible so they have ample time to devise a tailored treatment plan that best suits your child’s needs.
Open Bites
An open bite is a type of malocclusion where the upper and lower front teeth do not meet when the teeth on both arches are biting together. This can be caused by various underlying conditions, including missing teeth, incorrect thumb-sucking, tongue thrusting, or poor early dental hygiene habits.
The most common medical interventions for an open bite include braces and other orthodontic treatments. Orthodontics helps to reposition the teeth into a more favorable position and further develop dental alignment in order to make the bite more even than before treatment began. Braces rely on the pressure placed directly on each tooth by metal brackets that are held in place with wire bands. The pressure allows for a slow process of realignment making it possible to correct some types of open bites that cannot be effectively treated via other means.
If your child has an open bite due to poor oral hygiene or missing teeth, it is important to seek professional help from an orthodontist as soon as possible. Early intervention can help prevent more severe issues down the line such as overcrowded teeth or uneven jaw growth. Additionally, braces may increase your child’s self-esteem and confidence through improved physical appearance if desired by you and your practitioner.
Deep Bites
Most of us are fairly familiar with the traditional techniques used to straighten the teeth, such as braces or clear aligners. However, some dental issues affect more than just the outward appearance of your smile. Deep bites occur when upper front teeth overlap significantly with lower teeth, which can cause difficulty eating and speaking as well as putting too much stress on jaw joints.
The following are common reasons why your child may need braces for a deep bite:
- A narrow upper jaw. This condition causes the lower jaw to edge away from the center and causes your upper teeth to overlap more than normal.
- The overgrowth of gum tissue between the upper and lower sets of teeth. This can cause an improper alignment and lead to a deep bite between the two rows of teeth.
- Prolonged thumb-sucking or use of pacifiers beyond 3 years old can also cause misalignment issues
- Pronounced overbite or underbite caused by malocclusion can lead to difficulty speaking correctly
- Lost or extracted baby teeth too early in development may also be due to a specific medical condition that prevents proper eruption into the arch. These include ectopically erupted molars or impacted wisdom teeth.
- Missing adult molars due to accidents, injury, decay, or periodontal disease can make it difficult for your remaining top and bottom teeth to line up correctly.
- Malocclusion is caused by genetics where there is an imbalance between your child’s lower and upper jaws.
Overbites
An overbite is an alignment problem that affects the top and bottom rows of teeth and is common in most children. Overbites occur when the upper jaw protrudes outward in front of the lower jaw, making the front teeth look abnormally long. Although not all overbites require treatment, it is often advised for mild to moderate cases as it can cause long-term problems with chewing and overall health of the jaw and mouth. Thankfully, braces are an effective tool for correcting many types of overbites.
In cases where the overbite does not affect how the molars fit together or if it does not obstruct proper function or speech impediment, then treatment may not be necessary. Nonetheless, overbites can result in a range of dental problems including
- worn teeth from grinding,
- changes in facial appearance from jaw structure issues
- TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) can cause pain while chewing or speaking.
Braces work by gradually moving your teeth into proper alignment so that your child’s bite will be better balanced and he/she will be less likely to develop complications due to an overly prominent overbite. With braces, your child’s misaligned jaws can also be corrected resulting in a more desirable facial profile with a corrected spacing of their teeth for a natural-looking smile you both can be proud of!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the top reasons my child might need braces?
The most common reason for a child needing braces is to correct an overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Other reasons may include overcrowding of teeth, spacing between teeth, and correcting jaw growth issues.
At what age should my child get braces?
The ideal age for a child to get braces is around 8-14 years old when their permanent teeth have mostly come in. However, it is best to talk to an orthodontist to determine the exact best time for your child to get braces.
How long should my child have to wear braces?
The length of time that a child needs to wear braces varies depending on their individual needs, however, it is typically between 18 to 24 months.
Conclusion
In the end, when it comes to deciding whether braces are right for your child, it’s important to consult a professional orthodontist. Orthodontists are trained to diagnose and treat various dental problems, so they will be able to tell you if braces are necessary or not.
It’s also important to remember that taking care of your child’s teeth is an investment in their long-term health, and orthodontic treatment can play an important role in that. With proper alignment and treatment, your child will have healthy teeth and a beautiful smile for years to come.
