One of the most important points to remember about your child’s development is that your child will usually have a good number of their permanent teeth by the time they reach their 7th birthday. That presents an opportunity for an orthodontist to identify any potential issues that might become a future problem.
Seeking a professional opinion from someone like Kestevan BCDA dental, for example, could mean that your child gets the preventative treatment that encourages a better growth pattern for their teeth as they develop.
What are the signs to look out for that a visit to the orthodontist would be a good idea?
Here are some typical issues that should be assessed as soon as possible for a better outcome.
Are their teeth too crowded?
It can be easy to make an assumption that your child may have crowded teeth because of a varied growth rate and everything will fall into place as they develop.
Crowded teeth are a typical problem for children. It is also a problem that should be assessed by a dental professional. They may need to take corrective action so that there is enough space for incoming permanent teeth.
Look out for an underbite
An underbite is when your child’s lower front teeth are noticeably out of line with their upper front teeth.
This can cause discomfort and future problems, An underbite problem should be investigated.
Is your child a thumb sucker?
Many children self-comfort by sucking their thumb. The problem with this behavior is that it has the capacity to impact teeth or jaw growth in a negative way.
If your child sucks their thumb or fingers on a regular basis it makes sense to check with an orthodontist to see if it is creating a dental issue.
Does your child have a crossbite?
This is when their upper teeth become aligned on the inside of their lower teeth. Any signs of a crossbite need to be checked and monitored.
A lot of gaps
Another common problem is when your child might have excessive spacing between their teeth.
It is better to get this checked rather than make an assumption that everything will come together at some point.
Abnormal jaw movement
This is called functional shift. It is when the jaw shifts noticeably to one side each time the teeth come together. This should be investigated by an orthodontist.
Not the right teeth count
A typical dental problem seen in children is when they have extra teeth or some that are missing.
Either way, this is a dental issue that is best dealt with as early as possible.
An incorrect bite pattern
If your child has an abnormality that means their top and bottom teeth don’t align correctly, or simply don’t meet at all, this needs to be investigated as soon as possible.
All of these problems are typical dental development challenges. They can usually be fixed and your child can enjoy better dental health and increased confidence as a result of getting their teeth sorted early in their life.
If you spot any of these problems or have any concerns it would be a good idea to see an orthodontist. An early prognosis and solution often lead to a better outcome.