Children begin to lose their baby teeth around the age of 5. The latter fall out about 12 years. Parents are sometimes worried if they see that their children are growing crooked teeth. And while teeth may need straightening, it’s important to remember that children this age are still growing. Some distortions are self-correcting. Ideally, a child should have dental check-ups from the dentist from the first year of life to prevent cavities and have healthy teeth. During examinations, the doctor will detect any problems in the child’s oral cavity.
Cases when a child’s permanent teeth grow crookedly are common. This problem may resolve itself by the time the children grow up, but if it doesn’t, a visit to the dentist and orthodontist can help resolve the problem. Although genetics play a major role in whether a person’s teeth will grow evenly, certain lifestyle and habits also affect it.
Types of misalignment of teeth
Children may have the following dental problems:
- crooked teeth;
- incorrect bite;
- polyodontia or supernumerary teeth;
- anomalies of dental rows;
- teeth grow at an angle or at an angle.
When the child’s adult teeth begin to appear, parents should carefully monitor this process and regularly take the child to the dentist. A professional has expert knowledge of what is typical and what is problematic, and can make recommendations on how to promote normal tooth growth.
If the child’s milk teeth were cut crookedly, this does not necessarily mean that the permanent teeth will also grow crookedly.
Causes of crooked teeth and other bite disorders
The child may have teeth that are too big, malformation of the jaw, extra teeth in the mouth, or teeth that are too far apart.
Childhood habits that can cause crooked teeth include:
- sucking a pacifier at the age of 2 years and older;
- thumb sucking;
- mouth breathing;
- poor oral hygiene;
- poor or unhealthy nutrition;
- trauma;
- constant sticking out of the tongue.
It is important for a child, in particular for one whose milk teeth have not yet fallen out, to maintain proper oral hygiene, as well as to visit the dentist regularly and eat properly. This can prevent caries and premature loss of baby teeth. Many parents do not realize how important it is to keep baby teeth healthy. Cavities and gum problems can cause baby teeth to fall out earlier and permanent teeth to grow in incorrectly. The opposite can also happen. Sometimes a milk tooth does not fall out in time, and a permanent one is already formed under it, which also leads to defects.
In some cases, a child’s jaw is too small to accommodate adult teeth. Then the teeth may crowd together and the jawbones may not align properly. This is called a malocclusion, when the upper and lower jaws do not match as they should.
Prolonged pacifier use and thumb sucking are also very common problems that contribute to many oral health problems, including crooked teeth.
Problems associated with crooked teeth
Crooked teeth can cause other oral health problems besides aesthetic appearance.
Some problems associated with crooked teeth include:
- excessive wear of teeth/jaw/gums;
- difficulties with chewing and eating;
- speech problems;
- gum disease;
- jaw pain;
- temporomandibular joint dysfunction;
- low self-esteem.
There is a possibility that as the child’s jaw grows, his teeth may align and straighten on their own. However, if this does not happen, or if the misalignment is very large, some type of orthodontic treatment may be necessary.
What can be done with crooked teeth in children
The first step in case of crooked teeth is to consult a dentist. During a typical examination, the dentist, in addition to examining the teeth and positioning of the jaws, will take an X-ray. The doctor must determine the likelihood that the problems will resolve on their own when the child grows up.
If necessary, an orthodontist may suggest any of the following to correct crooked teeth.
Braces. Metal or ceramic braces are most often chosen for straightening children’s teeth. Lingual braces are attached to the inside of the teeth, but they need enough space to fit. Most children do not have teeth large enough for lingual braces. Some orthodontists wait until the patient is 10 years old, but many children as young as 7 are already getting braces. They are the most effective remedy for almost any crooked or crowded tooth problem. Braces are also good for correcting a misaligned bite.
Palatal expanders (orthodontic plates). This treatment is suitable for children or adults with insufficient development of the upper jaw to correct its shape and correct the bite.
Transparent aligners. Suitable for patients with mild to moderate crowding and crooked teeth. However, aligners are not recommended for young children. Adults and older children may prefer aligners because they are removable and me