Children and Braces

Q: How do I know if my child needs braces?

A: It is important to regularly bring your child to the dentist so that orthodontic problems, if any, can be detected early and treated to prevent complications. Make an appointment with an orthodontist/dentist as soon as you observe any of these signs in your child.

Misalignment of jaws

When the upper and lower jaws do not meet comfortably, it can cause an overbite, under-bite or cross-bite. That makes it difficult for your child to chew and can cause frequent cheek or tongue biting.

Early or late loss of baby teeth

Baby teeth preserve space for adult teeth. If baby teeth are lost too early, the other teeth will move into empty spaces and cause the adult teeth to become crooked while they are growing out. On the contrary, if baby teeth are lost too late, it can also cause crowding in the underlying adult teeth and prevent the baby teeth from being pushed out.

Crowded teeth

When your child's teeth is overlapping or are too close together, it can prevent your child from brushing and flossing effectively. This will lead to plaque building up and increasing the risk of tooth decay.

Thumb-sucking or mouth breathing habits 

Prolonged thumb-sucking will cause your child's front teeth to protrude outward, while mouth breathing can result in your child developing a narrow jaw (lesser space for adult teeth to grow). Encourage your child to stop thumb-sucking by the age of four and if required, seek professional help with regards to your child's mouth breathing habits.