When it comes to oral hygiene and health, there can be no compromise. One of the biggest worries that parents have is always around whether or not their children will need braces in the future.

Thankfully there are a number of options available to help you find this answer. There are many signs you should look out for when trying to decide if your child will need braces in the future.

What to Look Out For?

Early or irregular loss of baby teeth

If you notice that your child’s teeth have fallen out a little earlier than expected this could be an indication that they may need braces further down the line. They may lose their teeth early as a result of overcrowding which can be fixed by braces or a retainer to help straighten the teeth out.

Trouble Chewing or Biting

If your child finds it hard to bite and chew their food this can be a tell tale sign that something is wrong with their teeth or jaw. It could be a result of a misalignment within the teeth and the jaw. This can potentially put pressure on other teeth and cause discomfort.

Overbite

If you find that your child’s top jaw is overlapping its bottom jaw then this can be a sign that they have an overbite which can affect the way they breathe, eat and talk. Depending on the extent of the overbite braces can help fix it but surgery may be required to realign the jaw correctly.

Underbite

Similar to an overbite, instead the bottom jawline is protruding out and can cause similar problems to that of an overbite. Again this can be fixed with braces or potentially surgery. It’s important to act on an overbite/under-bite fast as these can continue to worsen as a child grows up.

Crowding of Teeth

Crowding is an obvious sign that your child could potentially need braces. If you notice crowding in the front rows of their teeth then it is advised to go and see a dentist. Braces may not always be required depending on the level of crowding. Often a simple retainer may be the best option and can help to straighten out the teeth and get them back to looking normal.

When to Visit an Orthodontist

The Orthodontic Society of Ireland recommends that you bring your child for an orthodontic assessment at approximately 7 or 8 years of age. Some parents find it beneficial to bring their children for an assessment before this and around the ages of 5 to 6. Of course this will depend on the child and how much of their baby teeth they have lost.

It’s best to consult with your family dentist about these timelines as they will be able to give you the best time-frame of when you should get your children’s teeth evaluated.

Braces aren’t always needed

There can be a misconception at times that people believe they always need to get braces for their children if they notice any abnormalities. The key to good oral health is to tackle the problem as early as possible. Having your child’s teeth evaluated at an early stage can often save you thousands of euro down the line. If a problem is recognised early, one simple retainer may be able to solve it, which is a fraction of the price of braces. That’s why here at Smart Dental we offer our patients a free teeth assessment to help you get ahead and save you potentially thousands down the line. You can book your free assessment here.

Conclusion

If your child does need braces, it’s not the end of the world. Here at Smart Dental we have many options available to help reduce the financial burden of getting your child braces. We encourage all parents to avail of our free children’s teeth alignment consultation to get their child assessed early and avoid braces down the line.

If you do have any questions on any dental queries or our services we’ll be more than happy to help and you can contact the team here.