How Do I Know if My Child Needs Braces?

Does My Child Need Braces?

A question we are often asked is, “does my child need braces?” Offhand, there isn’t a simple “yes” or “no” answer to this question. Instead, the answer is based on the unique growth and development of your child’s teeth and jaws. Many problems that require braces are genetic. That means your child didn’t do anything to cause them – they simply inherited them. So how can parents know whether or not their child needs braces?

Ask a Pediatric Dentist

One of the advantages of seeing a pediatric dentist is that we are specially trained to look for early signs in your child’s mouth that may indicate the need for braces. This is something we routinely evaluate at your child’s six-month checkup. If we see any signs that an orthodontic evaluation is needed, we’ll let you know at your child’s routine dental visit.

Common Reasons a Child Needs Braces

What are some of the main reasons kids need braces? According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the most common reasons children need orthodontic treatment are:

Crowding

Spacing

Protrusion

Extra or missing teeth

Jaw growth problems

Thumb or finger sucking

Dental disease

Accidents

Early or late loss of primary teeth

Thumb Sucking and Braces

Another question related to braces is thumb sucking. Many parents worry that their child’s habit of thumb sucking will lead to braces down the road. While it is true that kids who suck their thumb for many years can develop dental issues, the majority of children give up the habit on their own between the ages of two and four. If your child is hanging on to the habit, tell us at your checkup. We’ll share strategies with you to help break the habit before any problems develop.

From thumb sucking to crowded teeth, rest assured we will let you know if we see any issues that indicate a trip to the orthodontist is in your child’s future. Our goal is to partner with you to help your child have a healthy, happy smile for life.