Millions of children and teenagers throughout the United States begin orthodontic treatment every year. The majority of them receive braces, which use brackets and wires to shift crooked teeth and create a more harmonious bite. Could your young one benefit from braces for children in Bloomfield? In this blog post, we will discuss four signs that indicate a visit to a local orthodontist is in order.
Visible Dental Misalignment
Some types of dental misalignment are fairly easy to identify. When your child smiles, do you see that their teeth are crooked or that they protrude outward? Do they overlap one another, or are there large gaps between them? All such indications point to the possible need for braces.
You should also keep an eye out for subtler signs of dental misalignment or bite problems, such as:
- When your child bites down, the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth (or the bottom teeth overlap the top teeth)
- The front teeth top and bottom teeth cannot easily make contact with each other
- The teeth do not easily come together on either the right side or the left side of the mouth
Jaw Pain
A poor bite can place extra stress on the TMJ (the jaw joint), interfering with the way it works and causing discomfort in the surrounding muscles. If your child often mentions that their jaw hurts, or they avoid foods that take a lot of effort to chew, it is likely that they should see an orthodontist.
Speech Problems
Clear speech depends on precise interactions between the tongue, teeth, and other oral structures. If your child’s teeth are not in their proper places, they might find it difficult to enunciate certain sounds. Braces, possibly along with help from a qualified speech therapist, might be what your young one needs to communicate clearly and with confidence.
Snoring and/or Mouth Breathing
Some orthodontic issues, such as a narrow jaw, can interfere with the flow of air in the upper airway. As a result, your child might chronically snore or breathe through their mouth. Braces, as well as other orthodontic appliances, may be able to help your young one breathe easy every night and every day.
When Should Your Child See an Orthodontist?
Your child should have their first orthodontic checkup when they are 6 or 7 years old — around the time their permanent teeth start to erupt. This initial appointment gives your orthodontist in Bloomfield the chance to identify early indications that treatment may be necessary. The sooner such issues are caught, the easier they may be to correct.
Do you think that your child could benefit from braces? Taking them to visit an orthodontist soon could lead to lifelong benefits for their oral and overall health!
Meet the Practice
Family Dental Practice of Bloomfield features a talented, experienced team of dentists. We even have an on-staff specialist in orthodontics in Bloomfield, Dr. Ledjo Palo, who is able to provide treatment for both children and adults. To learn more about Dr. Palo and how he may be able to serve your family, contact us at 860-846-2227.