At Sturgill Orthodontics, we believe a strong foundation is key to a healthy smile. Preventing early orthodontic issues in children is crucial for their long-term dental health, and decreasing the risk of non-genetic alignment problems is easier than you might think.
What Do We Mean By “Orthodontic Issues”?
Before we get into the main topic of the day — preventing orthodontic issues — let’s first break down what “orthodontic issues” means. It’s not the same as an orthodontic emergency, and because they can easily be confused and often used interchangeably, we want to clarify right off the bat so we’re all on the same page.
Basically, orthodontic issues, also called malocclusion and misalignment, are when the teeth, upper jaw, and lower jaw don’t align as they should. Common types of malocclusion you might see in your child include:
- Overcrowding: There is insufficient space for teeth to align properly, usually leading to crooked teeth.
- Overbite: The upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower front teeth.
- Underbite: The lower front teeth extend past the upper front teeth.
- Crossbite: Some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
- Spacing: Excess space between teeth, which can cause gaps.
- Overjet (buck teeth): The upper front teeth protrude outward, away from the lower teeth.
- Diastema: A noticeable gap between the two front teeth.
Sometimes, these issues can resolve themselves as the child ages. In other cases, they can worsen, become more complicated to treat, and have serious consequences like poor dental health, pain, and a decline in mental and physical well-being. It’s important to keep a close eye on your child’s smile as they grow.
Now that you know what orthodontic issues are, let’s explore how you can help decrease your child’s risk of malocclusion before they start.
Avoid Pro-Longed Pacifier Use & Thumb-Sucking
Sucking is an infant’s primary coping mechanism! It’s their first way of self-soothing, relaxing, and calming themselves when experiencing “big feelings”! With benefits like helping your baby fall asleep, reducing fussiness, and providing a temporary distraction, thumb-sucking and pacifiers can be incredibly beneficial for parents during a child’s early months of life.
Unfortunately, though, too much of a good thing can create problems, and pacifiers and thumb-sucking are no exception. When a child frequently sucks on a pacifier or their thumb beyond the recommended age (3 years old), it can put pressure on the teeth and the growing jaws. This pressure can push the upper front teeth forward, leading to an overbite or overjet. It can also cause the upper and lower jaws to develop unevenly, resulting in crossbites or other forms of misalignment.
Always Have Them Wear A Protective Gear
Active kids love to play, but accidents can happen anytime, including on the soccer field, at a basketball court, or during a simple bike ride. Wearing a mouthguard and face shields during sports or other physical activities is a simple yet effective way to protect your child’s teeth from potential damage.
A properly fitted mouthguard helps prevent teeth from being chipped, broken or knocked out. It also prevents injuries to the jaw that could lead to malocclusion or misalignment issues later on and defends the lips, tongue, and soft tissues from cuts and bruises.
A face shield covering the entire face adds an extra layer of protection and safeguards your child against impacts that could lead to broken teeth or jaw injuries.
Encouraging your child to wear a mouthguard and face shield is an easy way to protect their developing smile and keep their teeth and jaws healthy and strong.
Have Them Evaluated By An Orthodontist
It might surprise you, but having your child see an orthodontist by age 7 is a smart move supported by the American Association of Orthodontists. Even though they still have their baby teeth, this early visit helps catch any potential malocclusion issues before they become more significant problems. Orthodontists are experts at spotting things that parents or general dentists might not notice — including upcoming misalignment concerns that have not yet started developing!
Most kids won’t need to start treatment right away. In those situations, we’ll monitor how their teeth and jaws develop as they grow. For those who do need treatment, we’ll set them up with a custom treatment program that utilizes a palate expander, metal braces, and/or partial braces.
We don’t mean to pile on to your child’s already busy schedule, but regular check-ups allow your Sturgill Orthodontics orthodontist to treat any malocclusion concerns at the optimal time, which makes treatments simpler, quicker, and less expensive down the line. Plus, the peace of mind it gives you knowing that your child’s smile is on the right track is priceless.
Stay One Step Ahead Of Orthodontic Issues With Sturgill Orthodontics
For expert guidance in preventing malocclusion and misalignment in your child’s smile, trust the team at Sturgill Orthodontics. We’re dedicated to ensuring your child’s teeth develop healthily and confidently. Ready to get started today? Schedule a free consultation with us in Johnson City, TN, Bristol, TN, or Norton, VA!