12 Early Signs of Orthodontic Problems in Children
By Terry A. Giangreco, DDS, MS
Many parents assume they must wait to begin orthodontic treatment until their child has all of his or her permanent teeth, only to find that treatment would have been much easier if started earlier. Some orthodontic problems are easier to correct while the jaw is still growing. Consequently, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have an orthodontic check-up no later than age seven.
Why age seven?
What’s so great about age seven? By that time, enough permanent teeth have erupted for an orthodontist to determine whether any problems are present. The first molars have come in, providing an opportunity to check for malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Also, the incisors have begun to come in, and problems such as crowding, deep bites, and open bites can be detected.
Some problems are not so subtle, and you may notice them early on. Orthodontic evaluation at an early age provides one of two positive outcomes: For some, early identification of problems will lead to easier or shorter orthodontic treatment in the future. For others, a healthy prognosis will provide immediate peace of mind.
Early evaluation, of course, may signal a need for early treatment. For some children, early treatment can prevent physical and emotional trauma. Aside from spurring on years of harmful teasing, misaligned teeth are also prone to injury and detrimental to good oral hygiene.
If you see any of the following signs in your child, please make an appointment immediately. If your child is younger than seven, it is not necessary to wait till his or her seventh birthday to visit an orthodontist. We want to identify any problems as early as possible so that we can implement the appropriate treatment at the appropriate time for your child’s individual needs.
12 signs that your child may need orthodontic treatment
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Finger sucking or other oral habits
- Crowding, misplaced, or blocked-out teeth
- Speech difficulty
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth
- Teeth that stick out too far
- Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don't meet at all
- Upper and lower jaws that don’t line up
- Grinding or clenching of teeth
What to look for in an orthodontic office if your child is not yet ready for treatment
An orthodontic growth and guidance program is for patients who are not yet ready to start treatment. Usually these kids are observed in the orthodontist's office every 8 to 12 months so their progress can be monitored, making sure baby teeth are being lost correctly and permanent teeth are erupting in the correct position. When considering an office in your area, look for one that has a program where they have a dental examination at this level of frequency, with any necessary photos and x-rays updated at each visit. These visits may or may not have a cost associated with them.
At our office (Get-It-Straight, in the Rochester, NY area) we work closely with the child’s general dentist and pediatrician, notifying them of any recommendations made during their Growth and Guidance visits. Wherever you are located, we recommend finding an office that believes in having a close relationship with these other health providers to share information regarding your child’s treatment. The treatment provider should also have a philosophy of building a relationship with your child, and a principle of working with the family to determine the optimum time to begin treatment to achieve the best possible result. Visit different offices until your child feels comfortable and you understand and agree with the proposed treament plan.
Dr. Terry Giangreco is one of four orthodontists at Get-it-Straight Orthodontics, which has three locations in the Rochester, NY area: Pittsford, Greece, and Gananda, NY. If you live nearby, you can schedule a complimentary consultation or learn more about the office at www.get-it-straight.com.