Are you wondering whether your children’s teeth and jaws are developing properly? See if you observe any of the following signs:
- No spacing between baby teeth – This is a sure predictor the permanent teeth won’t have room.
- Crowded baby teeth – Crowding is present when the teeth are crooked and very close together.
- Mouth breathing – Breathing through the mouth rather than the nose is a sign there may be orthodontic and facial growth problems.
- “Buck Teeth” – The upper front teeth are probably in the correct place, but the lower jaw is too far back.
- Snoring – It’s never normal for kids to snore. If the dental arches are too small, the tongue has nowhere to go, leading to snoring and possibly sleep apnea.
- Thumb or finger habits – Many habits can lead to bite and facial growth problems.
- Crossbite – The lower teeth are outside of the upper teeth when the bite is closed.
- ADHD Behavior – There’s often an airway problem with which we can help.
- Open Mouth Posture – The lips are often apart, affecting the proper development of the jaws.
- Parasomnias, Night Terrors, Sleepwalking – Poor sleep is often related to facial and airway development.
- Bedwetting – This is associated with sleep breathing problems.
When to Evaluate
Ages 3-4 are not too young for an orthodontic evaluation! Avoiding extractions, surgery, more complicated treatment, tooth impactions, ectopic eruptions (coming into the wrong place), and optimizing facial, jaw, and airway growth are all good reasons to consider early orthodontic treatment.
Serious Health Issues – Not Just Straight Teeth
The reasons for doing any orthodontic treatment can vary. Most of the time, simply straightening teeth becomes the number one goal. We have learned, however, that there are larger issues at stake – some of them even affecting how long a child might live! This is not an exaggeration. When the growth of the jaws and the formation of the airway are not optimal, serious health consequences can result: irreversible cardiovascular damage, ADD or ADHD, delayed language and phonological skills, altered social development, lower IQ, etc. We take all these seriously.
Structural and Postural Changes – Better Start Early
Looked at from a health perspective, the structural and postural changes that are achieved during the growth years are often more important than the final alignment of the teeth later on. We might recommend that the priority be put on treatment at younger ages to correct the major issues: poor airway formation, insufficient space, asymmetries, cross bites, impactions, poor oral posture, improper facial growth, etc. Early treatment focuses on structural and/or postural correction: the size of the jaws, the direction of jaw growth, etc. It’s like getting a spaceship pointed toward the moon soon after it leaves earth; waiting until later will often mean a larger and more difficult correction. Children also cooperate with and tolerate simpler treatment at a younger age – much better than teenagers do. Early treatment can make any teenage treatment, when it is necessary, shorter, simpler, and more comfortable.
For your peace of mind, if your child is exhibiting any of the eleven signs listed here, please contact our office for a complimentary orthodontic evaluation.
Life Dental & Orthodontics 925.934.3434
By Brian J. Hockel, DDS, Life Dental & Orthodontics, Resident since 1964