When it comes to child development, the loss of baby teeth is a major milestone. As a parent, it’s very exciting to watch your child get their permanent teeth. Sometimes, however, there are dental issues that come with them. When this happens, it’s crucial that you take action to protect your child’s smile from being compromised in the long term. This post will examine some of the problems that can arise and offer solutions.
Crowded Teeth
One common problem is the child’s permanent teeth growing in crooked, which can be attributed to a number of causes. What should you do when this happens? Here’s some advice:
It’s very common for children to grow adult teeth that are not straight. Most commonly, this is caused by hereditary factors like extra teeth, large teeth, missing teeth, wide spacing, or small jaws. These can be compounded by habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, premature loss of baby teeth, or a poor breathing airway caused by enlarged adenoids. The result is crowded teeth and/or malocclusion (a bad bite).
Step 1: Maintain regular visits to the dentist
As soon as your child first grows baby teeth, it’s important that they begin regular trips to the dentist. Not only can your dentist help ensure your child’s teeth stay clean, but they can keep an eye on the inbound adult teeth. If they notice some teeth are not coming in straight, then they can refer you to an orthodontist. Read more at Children and Teen Dental…
Protruding Teeth
Another possible complication is an overbite, where your child’s front teeth jut too far forward. People commonly refer to this condition as “buck teeth.” In some cases, it can be so severe that the lips are unable to fully cover the teeth. As with crooked teeth, an overbite can have multiple origins such as genetics, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and more. Whatever the cause, you should intervene to ensure that your child isn’t dealing with this problem later in life, when it might negatively impact their self-image.
One study found that protruding teeth is seen in about 15% of children between the ages of 12 and 15. This study indicates that buck teeth are seen quite frequently in the realm of orthodontic intervention for children…
Although some people prefer to avoid orthodontic treatment and simply live with over-protruding teeth, studies show this can prove to be injurious in the long run. The more teeth protrude outward, the more prone they are to damage…
If a child presents with protruding teeth, there are different treatment methods employed by orthodontists to correct it. If the protrusion is minimal and the patient is young, the orthodontist may opt to use a removable type retainer to tip the upper front teeth back. Read more at Burke & Redford Orthodontists…
Depending on the extent of your child’s overbite, a dentist will recommend a course of treatment that’s best suited for their needs.
Other Bite-Related Problems
In addition to protruding upper teeth, the opposite can occur. Sometimes the lower front teeth stick out further than the upper ones, creating an underbite. If the protuding lower teeth are on the side, rather than in front, it’s called a crossbite. The following post has more about crossbites:
A crossbite is when one or more upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth, causing the teeth to not line up properly. This can happen on one or both sides of the jaw and can affect the front or back teeth. A crossbite can occur if the lower jaw bone is wider than the upper jaw bone, from delayed or abnormal tooth eruption, thumb sucking, and other childhood habits.
A crossbite can cause jaw pain or TMJ issues from uneven pressure on the jaw muscles. Another common problem caused by crossbite is accelerated enamel wear due to certain parts of the teeth wearing away quicker than others. This can lead to several other issues, including food pockets that increase tooth decay and the risk of gum disease. Read more at Paquette Orthodontics…
Pediatric dentistry is vital for addressing the issues we’ve outlined here and more. Early intervention will correct the course of your child’s wayward teeth before they have a chance to harm those surrounding them. When this care is provided by Dague Dental Solutions, you can be sure that your child’s oral health is in good hands. Dr. Jolene Dague is one of the leading dentists in Davenport, Iowa.
Get in touch with Dague Dental Solutions today to schedule a dental appointment for your little one. Call our office at (563) 386-9770 or reach us through the contact form on our website. We look forward to hearing from you.