There are other reasons to get braces other than crooked teeth. If your child's teeth have other issues, braces may be necessary in order to correct them. If your child needs braces, the dentist will see these issues and recommend them. In this case, you'll need to make an appointment with an orthodontist to have their teeth examined and to come up with an orthodontic treatment plan. Read on for a few signs that your child needs braces.
1. Misaligned Teeth
If your child has misaligned teeth, or teeth that don't touch because of jaw issues, braces may be necessary to correct these issues. Your child may have an overbite or an under-bite, both of which can be corrected with braces. Their jaw may also have issues lining up on the sides of their mouth as well. If your child has misaligned teeth, braces with rubber bands can help.
2. Pain While Chewing
If your child feels pain when chewing, or you hear a clicking or popping noise when your child chews food it can be something that can be corrected with braces. The pain may be because of the placement of the jaw or due to misaligned teeth. The pain from the jaw could be causing other issues for your child, including headaches. Talk to your child's dentist about this pain and if they need braces.
3. Your Child Chews On Their Cheeks A Lot
If your child is always biting the inside of their cheeks a lot, or they chew on their cheeks a lot, it could be because of a jaw issue or an issue with your child's bite. If your child has these issues, they may need braces to correct them. If your kid is complaining of biting the inside of their cheeks, you should discuss this issue with their dentist and seek help from an orthodontist.
These are just a few of the signs that your daughter or son may need braces. Crooked teeth and overcrowding are also signs of needing braces, as are losing teeth at an irregular rate, or not losing baby teeth at all, or too early. If you've been told by the dentist that they need braces, you should talk to the dentist about referring you to a kids orthodontist. Braces can help your child with their chewing and give them a straighter smile, in addition to alleviating pain they may feel due to their teeth or jaw being misaligned.
Share15 March 2022
Toddlers should see a dentist for the first time by the age of twelve months or by the time their first tooth comes in. But if you are a parent with toddlers anything like mine, the prospect of going to the dentist (let alone anywhere!) can be pretty intimidating. My kids were a handful growing up. They had tantrums any time we would have to sit in a waiting room, and they refused to get in the dentist's chair during their first few visits. So, I had to employ a professional to help me make the transition to finally getting them in that dental chair without all the screaming and crying. I know I'm not the only parent in this situation, so I decided to share the information I've learned with others who can use a little help. You can find all my advice right here on these pages!