A pediatric orthodontic specialist can help your child with many orthodontic issues. For example, poorly aligned teeth can cause difficulty chewing and speech impairments. In addition, it can lead to an increased risk of teeth grinding and tooth decay. If your child has signs and symptoms of orthodontic problems, early intervention by an experienced pediatric orthodontist can help preserve the health and beauty of their smile. Continue reading to learn more about common pediatric orthodontic issues.
A child's struggle with chewing or biting could be due to misaligned teeth or jaw. This can lead to a higher risk of choking.
If a child is grinding their teeth, it could be a sign of misalignment. If left untreated, it can permanently damage their developing teeth. In addition, it can also shift their jaw and teeth alignment.
Parents may notice that their child's jaw shifts or clicks. It may do this because of an improper alignment. It could also signify the child having Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) when the muscles or ligaments around their jaw joints are inflamed or irritated.
When a child consistently breathes their mouth, it can affect the appearance of their face and teeth. This is due to their tongue does not fully rest on their mouth's roof. As a result, it can lengthen their face and cause a narrower jaw.
Healthy teeth and gums are essential to a child's oral health. However, if they have crooked or crowded teeth, it can make it harder for them to brush and floss. This can lead to an increased probability of tooth decay and gum disease.
Children typically start losing their baby teeth between ages six and 15. This timeline can help with their proper speech and facial development. In addition, primary teeth hold the proper space for their permanent teeth, which help guide them to the proper position. When children lose their teeth too early, they could suffer from numerous orthodontic complications, such as:
In contrast, some children can be late bloomers and lose their teeth longer than normal. This situation has an equal amount of developmental and orthodontic issues, such as permanent teeth erupting behind the baby teeth and overcrowding the mouth.
Many children have gaps in their teeth. They can occur due to genetics, missing teeth, dental trauma, or poor oral habits, such as thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use. A gap in a child's teeth may not harm their overall dental health but may harm their self-esteem and inner confidence.
A malocclusion is where a child's teeth are misaligned. This condition can lead to oral health complications if it is left untreated. Types of malocclusions include:
Parents need to seek orthodontic treatment for their children. It is easier for pediatric orthodontic specialists to treat issues while a child's jaw develops. Their bone structure is not as rigid as a fully-developed adult jaw and will require fewer future treatments. Some of these treatment methods include:
A pediatric orthodontics specialist can help protect your child's developing smile and ensure that their teeth and jaw are healthy and functional. In addition, these specialized services can also help boost their self-confidence. Call our office to learn more or to schedule an appointment.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
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