Does Your Child Need Braces? Look for These Signs

Every year, countless kids get started with orthodontic treatment. This is a common procedure that can set young people up for a lifetime of sound oral health. Are you wondering if your precious little one needs braces? This blog post may give you a rough idea of whether your child could benefit from treatment.

Bring Your Child for an Orthodontic Evaluation

Scheduling an orthodontic evaluation for your child before they turn 7 years old is strongly recommended. Catching problems early on makes them easier to correct and can prevent the need for more extensive (and expensive) treatment down the road. Even if you believe that your child’s oral development is proceeding normally, an evaluation is still a good idea because, in some cases, only a trained eye can identify signs that a problem is present.

Signs That Treatment Might Be Necessary

While a qualified professional is the only person who can determine for sure whether your child needs treatment, you should still be aware of what orthodontic problems can look like and the symptoms they can cause.

Common Orthodontic Problems Among Children

Children may experience a wide range of orthodontic problems. Some common issues include:

• Overcrowding: This occurs when there is not enough space in the mouth for all the teeth to fit properly. Your child’s teeth may overlap one another.
• Overbite: This issue, also known as an overjet, happens when the upper front rest too far in front of the lower front teeth.
• Underbite: An underbite can be fairly easy to recognize because it occurs when the lower teeth rest in front of the top ones.
• Crossbite: This happens when some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
• Open bite: There is a gap between the upper and lower teeth even when the mouth is at rest.

Symptoms of an Orthodontic Problem

Here are some indications that an orthodontic problem may be negatively affecting your child:

• It is difficult for them to speak clearly.
• They experience pain or discomfort in the jaw or mouth.
• They cannot thoroughly brush and floss their teeth due to misalignment.
• They may feel self-conscious about their smile.
• They experience frequent facial pain or headaches.
• They frequently snore.

Are you concerned that your child might need orthodontic treatment? Remember, the sooner they get started, the better! Take them in for a professional evaluation as soon as your schedule allows.

Meet the Practice

At Arlington Heights Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry, our team proudly features four highly skilled orthodontists. If it is time for your child’s first orthodontic evaluation, or you have questions about what to expect when you visit us, we would be pleased to speak with you. Get in touch with our office at 847-255-3020.