When Will I Know If My Child Needs Braces?

Braces are one of the most common dental treatments for kids, pre-teens and teenagers. Due to genetics, early childhood habits and developmental issues, your child’s adult teeth may fail to grow in straight, or they may have issues like an overbite or underbite.

How can you tell if your child really needs braces? What are the signs, and what’s the best way to make sure you get the proper orthodontic treatment early? Here’s what you need to know about braces for kids in Woodbury:

Look For Common Signs Of Orthodontic Issues 

There are a few different signs that your child may exhibit which may indicate the presence of orthodontic issues:

• Baby teeth that are lost early, late, or irregularly
• Problems chewing or biting properly
• Mouth breathing (due to improper development of the upper jawbone)
• Thumb or finger sucking
• Misplaced, crowded or crooked teeth
• Recessed jaw (overbite) or protruding jaw (underbite)
• Regularly biting the cheeks or roof of the mouth
• Teeth which do not meet properly when your child’s mouth is closed
• Disproportionate jaws or teeth
  

If your child has one or more of these issues, this could be a sign of orthodontic problems like a malpositioned jaw, crooked teeth, and other related developmental complications. We highly recommend seeing an orthodontist as soon as you can to see what your best options are for treatment.

When Should My Child Get Braces?

The best age for braces varies somewhat from patient to patient. Each child’s orthodontic needs are different. However, most children will get braces somewhere between the ages of 9-14. Kids in this age range are still growing, which makes orthodontic treatment more effective, and they also have some or most of their permanent teeth.

Regular Dental Visits: The Best Way To Tell If Your Child Needs Braces

Visiting a dentist every six months is the best way to make sure that your child’s mouth is developing properly and ensure that they get the orthodontic treatment they need. At Knight Pediatric Dentistry, Dr. Knight has years of experience diagnosing and treating orthodontic issues.

When you come to our office every six months for a pediatric oral exam, Dr. Knight will take notes about your child’s oral development and identify potential orthodontic issues early. In turn, this allows you to intervene at the proper time, leading to a more effective orthodontic treatment. 

Come In For A Consultation Today At Knight Pediatric Dentistry! 

Whether your child simply needs a six-month teeth cleaning and oral exam in Woodbury, or you suspect that they may have orthodontic problems which require braces, Dr. David Knight is here to help. To schedule your appointment at our office, just give us a call at (515) 318-7351, or stop by our office at 9950 Valley Creek Road, Suite 150, Woodbury, MN 55125. We’re always accepting new patients, so we hope to see you and your child soon.