It can be a tough decision to make as a parent; you have just been to an orthodontist appointment to be told that your child needs braces. Of course, you know it is in their best long term interest, but your child is less than eager to have a brace fitted.

As unpopular as they are, braces can help correct many complex dental presentations, leaving your child with straighter, healthier teeth in their adult life. However, as a parent, you worry that this procedure may be painful and socially isolating for your child.

At the Healthy Smile Centre, we know how tough this decision can be and our dentist in Zetland will help you to make the best decision in relation to your child’s teeth. We will guide you both through the process and answer any questions you may have about the procedure, reassuring both of you that this treatment is beneficial and has positive long-lasting results.

But, what are the signs that signify your child may need a brace before you book in to see our orthodontist or dentist in Zetland? Here are the top 5 that our team recommends..

Early or late loss of baby teeth

Loss of baby teeth either too early or late can cause issues with alignment in the teeth and the jaw.

If lost too early, the jaw may not be able to support the growth and formation of adult teeth, causing them to warp and misalign. If lost too late, there may be no space for the adult teeth to emerge due to the position of the other teeth, causing protrusions and crowding to form.

Crowded teeth

Crowded teeth are easy to spot and are a straightforward way to determine that they need a brace. Our dentist in Zetland will be able to help you identify issues with crowding early in the formation of adult teeth, meaning that any brace that is applied may not need to be fitted for an excessively long period.

Thumb sucking

Lots of children suck their thumbs; it is an easy way for them to self-soothe during times of anxiety and can help them to relax as they drift to sleep.

However, if your child sucks their thumb past the age of 3 excessively, it suggests that they are using their thumb to create additional pressure in their mouth. This behaviour is associated with the presence of misaligned teeth and can be corrected with a brace.

Mouth breathing

Breathing with your mouth open as a child impacts on how the facial muscles form; children who mouth breathe often have longer faces and narrower jaws, which in turn, can cause their teeth to become crowded and misaligned.

This is because the tongue is not able to press against the roof of the mouth, causing the arches to form incorrectly.

Misaligned jaw

Does your child find it tough to bite into an apple?

This could signify a misaligned jaw which can be corrected with the use of orthodontic braces.

Disclaimer

All dental treatments carry potential risks. Contact your local dental team for more information about the procedures mentioned in this article.