Braces for Kids- What Parents Need to Know 

Kids braces correct dental alignment abnormalities before they substantially impact your child’s development. Pediatric dentists recommend that your kid get their first checkup before their first birthday and have their bite checked before the age of seven, which you can do by scheduling an appointment with a Bristol dentist. 

At this period of growth, children’s bone and jaw structures are still soft, making it simpler for kids’ braces to push their teeth into better alignment. Teeth straightening procedures can still be successful for people of all ages, although adults must wait longer.

Why may your child require braces?

Crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites can make a youngster feel self-conscious about their smile and make eating, cleaning, and flossing difficult. Taking care of these abnormalities early on can increase self-esteem and confidence, especially in children with severely misaligned teeth. It can also help to avoid hazardous health problems in the future.

An underbite occurs when the upper jaw is inside the lower jaw. This scenario can result in discomfort, trouble eating, and self-consciousness about one’s looks. Orthodontists employ braces to widen the jaw to correct an underbite. Braces are also required for an overbite, which occurs when the upper teeth overlap the bottom teeth excessively. Overbites can cause tooth wear, pain, and chewing and eating issues.

Crossbites occur when part of the higher teeth fit within the lower teeth, making chewing and biting difficult and causing headaches and muscular discomfort. If untreated, it can change the form of your child’s face. Overcrowding occurs when the mouth is too small to accommodate all teeth. Crossbites and overcrowding might both need a tooth extraction or jaw expansion with braces.

Dentists may also observe irregular tooth wear. Tooth wear happens naturally due to chewing food, but a misaligned jaw or teeth can also cause it. When teeth wear down, they are more vulnerable to disease and decay.

Another clue that your child may require braces is mouth breathing, which you may detect at home. When you breathe in via your nose, your tongue makes contact with the roof of your mouth and upper teeth. That does not happen with mouth breathing; lower tongue placement can induce jaw malformation over time.

If your child loses their baby teeth too soon, they may require braces because the teeth may become misaligned and fail to provide enough space for the adult teeth to come in. Children who suck their fingers or thumbs sometimes require braces, especially if the behavior persists for several years. Sucking can cause infant teeth to fall out and misalign the jaw.