Every day, we get asked by our clients if their child will need braces or how they can tell from an early age. These clients are generally the ones that have needed braces themselves or currently need them. Even though the answer that you are looking for is a simple yes or no, the answer is not always clear-cut. In fact, the answer is more challenging than you could imagine. This is because as a cosmetic dentist, before we can confidently answer your question, we need to-
- Consider
- Assess
- Evaluate
We know that you are concerned about the future of your child’s mouth and we want to help you learn the signs that may indicate that your child will need braces in the future.
Ages for Braces
You can always be on the lookout for whether or not your child will need braces. When your baby’s first tooth erupts, they should begin seeing a dentist. This tends to be between six and 12 months. By regularly visiting the dentist, you and your dentist can be prepared for a braces intervention if needed. Sometimes, it may be recommended that a first set of braces is placed before all their baby teeth fall out. In severe case, some problems are best treated as early as possible. In other cases, patience is the best method. The age for braces can vary significantly due to these reasons and can happen anywhere from six to late teens.
By treating teeth with braces early on and avoiding waiting until adult age, you can eliminate confidence issues and provide your child with a strong and healthy self-esteem that doesn’t lead them to hiding their smile. If you are an adult and think that you need the help of braces, we want to help. We have multiple options available including invisible braces that can straighten your teeth and leave you with a smile that you are proud of.
Signs That Braces are Needed
The following can indicate the need for braces in both children and adults:
- Irregular, early, or late loss of non-adult teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Blocked-out teeth
- jaws that make sounds
- Misplaced teeth
- Teeth that are not proportionate with the face
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
- Teeth that don’t meet
- Teeth that meet abnormally
- Jaws disproportionate to the face
- Shifting jaws
In addition to those issues, there can also be a problem with your child’s bite. This can include the following problems:
- Having extra teeth
- Missing teeth
- Crooked teeth
- An under-bite
- An overbite
- Incorrect position of the jaw
As an adult, you may experience some of these issues. If you or your child has any of the above signs, please call us today for a complimentary consultation at our dental boutique and spa in Fort Lauderdale.
Age for Orthodontic Care
Issues with bite-related issues can start during a variety of stages during dental development and will largely depend on the child’s growth and specific case. Your cosmetic dentist can weigh the risks and benefits of beginning treatment or holding off on treatment. There are certain cases that an early orthodontic treatment is necessary and can begin before baby teeth have all fallen out. However, other times, treatment can begin when most of the permanent teeth have grown in. You can click here to learn more about braces for your child. The best way to find out if braces are needed is to schedule a visit with a dentist that does orthodontics. If your child is concerned with the look of braces or is embarrassed to wear them, we have invisible braces available that can make a huge difference!
Why are Braces Needed?
A large majority of orthodontic issues are genetic which means that issues with teeth have been inherited. However, other problems can develop due to the following:
- Thumb sucking
- Breathing through mouth and not nose
- Poor nutrition
- Dental decay
Genetic and hereditary reasons can include:
Crowding
Crowding is the number one reason that braces are needed. This means that there is not enough room in your mouth for all of your teeth. This will lead to crooked teeth and this problem will get worse overtime, especially as your child gets older. When teeth are crowded, it makes it difficult to brush and floss which can cause decay and lead to serious problems if not corrected.
Overbite, Underbite, Crossbite, and Openbite
An overbite occurs when the front teeth stick out farther than the bottom teeth do. On the other hand, an underbite is when the upper tooth is behind the lower teeth when biting down. With an underbite, risk of trauma to the front tooth is significantly increased. A crossbite is where the upper tooth is behind the lower opposing tooth. This can cause serious problems such as fractured teeth, excessive wear to both teeth, and even abnormal jaw growth. Lastly, an openbite is when the front teeth do not touch the bottom teeth at all. This is an abnormal situation and can lead to speech problems as well as difficulty biting down.
Dr. Patty’s Dental Boutique and Spa Offers Braces
We want you or your child to be able to enjoy a lovely, straight smile the soonest possible. We offer invisible braces options that can benefit people of all ages. With these options, you will not have to worry about having a mouth full of metal and you will still be able to enjoy all times of foods. If you would like to find out more about the options that we offer, contact us today for a complimentary consultation.