Children begin to lose their baby teeth at approximately the age of 5. The last ones fall out around the age of 12. Parents sometimes worry when they see that their children’s teeth are growing crooked. And although the teeth may need alignment, it is important to remember that children of this age are still growing. Some misalignments will straighten on their own. Ideally, a child should have dental check-ups with a dentist from the first year of life in order to prevent caries and have healthy teeth. During check-ups, the doctor will detect any problems in the child’s oral cavity.
Cases where a child’s permanent teeth grow crooked are common. This problem may resolve on its own by the time children grow up, but if this does not happen, a visit to a dentist and orthodontist can help solve the problem. Although genetics plays an important role in whether a person’s teeth will grow straight, certain lifestyle factors and habits also influence this.
Types of Incorrect Tooth Positioning
Children may have the following dental problems:
- crooked teeth;
- malocclusion;
- polyodontia, or supernumerary teeth;
- dental arch anomalies;
- teeth growing at an angle or with a tilt.
When a child begins to develop adult teeth, parents need to carefully monitor this process and regularly take the child to the dentist. A specialist has expert knowledge of what is typical and what is problematic, and can give recommendations on how to promote normal tooth growth.
If a child’s baby teeth erupted crooked, this does not necessarily mean that the permanent teeth will also grow crooked.
Causes of Crooked Teeth and Other Bite Disorders
A child may have teeth that are too large, developmental disorders of the dentoalveolar apparatus, extra teeth in the oral cavity, or teeth positioned too far apart.
Childhood habits that may cause crooked teeth include:
- sucking a pacifier at the age of 2 years and older;
- thumb sucking;
- mouth breathing;
- poor oral hygiene;
- inadequate or unhealthy nutrition;
- trauma;
- constant tongue thrusting.
It is important for a child, including one whose baby 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. Caries and gum problems may cause baby teeth to fall out earlier, and permanent teeth may grow incorrectly. The opposite may also happen. Sometimes a baby tooth does not fall out on time, while a permanent tooth is already forming underneath it, which also leads to defects.
In some cases, the child’s jaw is too small to accommodate adult teeth. Then the teeth may become crowded, and the jawbones may not align properly. This is called malocclusion, when the upper and lower jaws do not match as they should.
Prolonged use of pacifiers 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 may cause other oral health problems in addition to aesthetic appearance.
Some problems associated with crooked teeth include:
- excessive wear of the teeth, jaw, or gums;
- difficulty 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, the teeth may align and straighten on their own. However, if this does not happen, or if the displacement is very significant, a certain type of orthodontic treatment may be needed.
What Can Be Done About Crooked Teeth in Children
The first step with crooked teeth is to see a dentist. During a typical examination, the dentist, in addition to examining the teeth and jaw position, will take an X-ray. The doctor must determine the likelihood of whether the problems will resolve on their own as the child grows.
If necessary, an orthodontist may suggest any of the following to correct crooked teeth.
Braces. Metal or ceramic braces are most often chosen to align teeth in children. Lingual braces are attached to the inner side of the teeth, but they require enough space for placement. Most children do not have teeth large enough for lingual braces. Some orthodontists wait until the patient turns 10, but many children as young as 7 already receive braces. They are the most effective tool for almost any problem with crookedness or crowding of teeth. Braces are also well suited for correcting malocclusion.
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.
Clear aligners. These are suitable for patients with mild to moderate crowding and crookedness of teeth. However, aligners are not recommended for young children. Adults and older children may prefer aligners because they are removable and less noticeable than braces.
Crooked permanent teeth are not always a cause for concern. Many people do not have perfectly straight teeth and never have serious dental problems. When children develop new permanent teeth that appear severely displaced, parents should consult a dentist. The specialist will either suggest waiting, if they believe that the problem may resolve on its own, or prescribe orthodontic treatment.
This article does not replace a medical consultation. For complete and personalized information, please consult your dentist.