At Austin Pearls Pediatric Dentistry, one of the most common questions our patients ask is “Will my child need braces?” Because proper jaw alignment is so important to oral health and function, we’re always monitoring our patients for signs they may need braces. Today, we’ve put together this guide to help parents do the same! Let’s start with some of the common signs your child may need orthodontic treatment.
- Difficulty Chewing or Biting
- Mouth Breathing
- Teeth Grinding
If your little one has a hard time chewing or biting normally, this can indicate an alignment issue. Even if your child’s teeth seem like they line up from the front, the issue may be subtle. Our team may use X-Rays and other tools to evaluate whether your child’s teeth or jaws are misaligned.
Mouth breathing can impact how your child’s jaw and mouth develop. Children who breathe through their mouths may not rest their tongue on the roof of their mouth so their jaw undesirably narrows as it develops. This can later result in a forward head posture that contributes to facial and neck pain. If you notice that your child regularly breathes through their mouth, orthodontic treatment might be necessary to guide healthy jaw development.
If your child grinds their teeth, especially at night, this can indicate an alignment issue. Without treatment, grinding can wear down tooth enamel, increase their risk for cavities, and result in muscle spasms and chronic headaches. Grinding can also shift the jaw, making alignment problems even worse.
Schedule Your Child’s Checkup!
Have you noticed that your child exhibits any of these signs? During each checkup, our team keeps an eye out for crowding, clicking jaws, and the aforementioned issues. Some children benefit from treatment for orthodontic problems early on. This might mean performing orthodontic treatment on baby teeth to better prepare their mouth for when their adult teeth come in. We can discuss our recommendations during your child’s visit.
Please contact us to schedule your child’s appointment at Austin Pearls Pediatric Dentistry!