5 Surprising Signs Your Child Should See an Orthodontist
Early orthodontic treatment is helpful in minimizing severe problems in the future, but how do you know when your child should begin orthodontic treatment? Age is an easy indicator – the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children should see an orthodontist by age 7. In this blog, we’ll discuss five more surprising signs your child should see an orthodontist.
Early Loss of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth typically begin to fall out around age 6. If your child loses teeth significantly earlier (either naturally or because they need to be extracted), it could lead to orthodontic issues. When a tooth falls out early, the adult tooth meant to take its place may not be ready to come in to fill the gap. Surrounding teeth may shift into the empty space, potentially blocking the path for the correct adult tooth when it's ready to grow in. It is important for your child to see an orthodontist to ensure proper development of their permanent teeth.
Difficulty Chewing or Biting
Does your child turn down food that takes a bit more effort to eat? Difficulty chewing or biting could be a sign of malocclusion, which is the abnormal alignment of the upper and lower teeth. An overbite, underbite, or crossbite can cause discomfort for your child and discourage them from eating a full range of foods. Encouraging kids to eat a healthy and balanced diet can be challenging. Your child’s orthodontist can help repair any malocclusion to increase their comfort and allow for better nutrition all around. More crunchy carrots, please!
Mouth Breathing
Orthodontics is not just about cosmetics – it can improve your overall health, including your breathing! If your child is breathing through their mouth instead of their nose, it is a good idea to visit an orthodontist. A smaller upper jaw can make it hard for your child to breathe from their nose, which is the most natural way for anyone to breathe normally. This is a problem throughout your child’s day-to-day activities as well as when they are sleeping and may cause them to snore. Due to lower sleep quality, they may have less energy throughout the day.
Thumb or Finger Sucking
Don’t be alarmed! Thumb sucking is normal and natural for babies, but tends to lessen between the ages of 2 and 4. If your child continues to do so beyond these years, it could be a sign to start orthodontic visits. The pressure from extended thumb or finger sucking can start to push their teeth outwards, leading to misalignment and increasing the possibility of other dental problems.
Speech Difficulties
Speech difficulties can be caused by a variety of factors, and misaligned teeth are one of them. When teeth are crooked, the tongue does not hit them properly causing issues such as:
Lisps
Difficulties pronouncing certain letters
Whistling sounds
If you are noticing any of these in your child’s speech, consider a consultation with an orthodontist as many of these speech problems can be improved or even solved with orthodontic treatment.
It is always better to catch orthodontic issues of any kind early to prevent further and more serious problems from occurring in the future. Is it time for your child to see an orthodontist? Contact Weaver Orthodontics today to book a consultation with Dr. Weaver!
