Deciding if Braces Are Called for to Correct Your Child’s Teeth
The process of growing up comes with many physical changes to your son or daughter’s body. One of the most significant rites of passage involves shedding their 20 baby to make room in their growing jaw for the set of 32 permanent teeth. These permanent teeth will need to serve your child for the rest of their lives.
Even though braces are primarily thought of for their cosmetic improvements to a smile, the effective realignment can improve many issues that could prove critical for your child’s long-term oral health.
Sometimes alignment issues are a result of overcrowding. This makes teeth more prone to chips and fractures when their bite pattern matches poorly. This is even more likely if your son or daughter had a baby tooth with a cavity that required the tooth to be extracted. Other alignment issues can be a result of much earlier issues related to thumb sucking or prolonged use of pacifier during your child’s formative years.
Malocclusion, is another possible issue that requires braces to adjust. This often relates to overbite or under-bite problems. If the top teeth extend too far out it is called overbite. When the lower jaw extends too far out it is called under-bite.
If you are concerned about potential alignment issues with your child’s teeth, you should contact Ortho 360 in Central Texas, at 512-270-0030 to set up an appointment. You can also schedule online.