It’s estimated that around 75% of children need braces to straighten their teeth and correct their bite alignment. However, as a parent, it can be hard to know when to bring your child in for an orthodontic consultation and, in some cases, whether they need braces at all. So, what are some common signs to look for, and what’s the best age for a child to get braces in Dallas? Keep reading to find out!
Common Signs That a Child Needs Orthodontic Treatment
- Losing baby teeth too early or late– The baby teeth act as a guide for the adult teeth, so losing them too early or late can cause crowding, spacing, and alignment issues. Children usually begin losing their baby teeth around age 6 and are finished between 11- 12.
- Mouth breathing– Mouth breathing affects the way your child’s tongue rests in their mouth and can lead to narrow jaw development that doesn’t leave enough room for their teeth to come in.
- Prolonged thumbsucking– If thumbsucking persists past the ages of 5-7 when the permanent teeth start coming in, it can change the shape and development of the jaws, crowd the bottom teeth, and cause the upper teeth to jut forward.
- Jaw misalignment– When the jaws don’t come together properly, it can cause multiple problems such as crossbites, overbites, underbites and, eventually, issues with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
- Large gapsor crowding – Crowding often results from the common problem of simply not having enough space to accommodate all of the teeth. Crowding is not only a cosmetic issue but also makes it difficult to keep the teeth and gums clean. As for gaps, some space between the baby teeth is considered normal and healthy, but large gaps between the permanent teeth usually mean that braces are a good idea.
When Should a Child Start Orthodontic Treatment?
The best way to determine whether your child needs braces and when they should start orthodontic treatment is to schedule a consultation with a dentist in Dallas around age 7 (or as soon as possible thereafter). In some cases, early interventions can be made to avoid more serious issues later on or even prevent the need for full braces down the road. Sometimes a child’s teeth look like they might correct on their own as they come in, so a dentist will recommend waiting until they’re older to see if treatment is necessary.
Once your child’s dentist has determined whether or not they need braces, they can create a plan to begin treatment at just the right time to help your child have a healthy, straight smile as soon as possible.
About the Author
Dr. Arrechea has over 20 years of experience practicing dentistry and loves seeing her patients smile and feel confident in their oral health. She’s proud to offer removable full and partial dentures as well as relining services to help her patients get the most out of their replacement teeth. To learn whether your dentures need to be adjusted, visit Daily Smiles Dental Dallas’ website or call 214-624-6221 today to schedule an examination.