Do permanent teeth come in with permanent positions? At first, they seem to come in straight, but as more come in, they seem to shift. What causes that shift, and does that mean your child will need braces?
Permanent teeth shifting in children isn’t uncommon, and it doesn’t necessarily mean your child will need braces later. A crooked tooth or two is no reason to panic! However, teeth shifting could signal an issue with your child’s developing jaws. That’s why it’s important for your child to consult an orthodontist early.
Woodhill Dental Specialties knows how important your child’s oral health is to you. We want to make sure your child is on the path to a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums. Is teeth shifting in kids a sign that may not happen?
Let’s explore what teeth shifting means, why it happens, and what can be done if your child’s teeth don’t straighten out later.
Once the baby teeth are all in, they start to fall out, making way for permanent teeth. What happens if the permanent teeth seem crooked at first? It doesn’t necessarily mean they will stay that way, because permanent teeth can shift.
Several factors can cause your child’s permanent teeth to shift. The biggest factor is their developing jaws. Children’s jaws continue to grow, shape, and develop throughout childhood and into adulthood.
As a child’s jaws develop, their teeth can move with the growth. Some children may have jaws that don’t grow as much as they should. A narrow or small jaw can lead to crowded teeth.
By contrast, overly wide jaws can cause the teeth to spread out. Gaps can form between teeth. Many children may have gaps in baby teeth that close once their larger, more numerous permanent teeth erupt.
For those whose teeth don’t move into place, orthodontic treatment may be needed to correct their bites.
Growth is a common cause of tooth shifting in kids, but it’s not the only one. Other issues can cause your child’s teeth to be crooked or to fail to erupt correctly.
Your child’s teeth will shift as they lose their baby teeth and the permanent teeth prepare to erupt. Usually, the baby teeth will shift out of the way to make room for the permanent teeth. This may cause the baby teeth to appear crowded for a bit, but that’s normal as they fall out and are replaced by permanent teeth.
Early loss of baby teeth can become an issue. If the permanent teeth is delayed in erupting or the baby tooth falls out too early, the other baby teeth can crowd into the space. This can cause the permanent tooth to come in crooked or in front of or behind the other teeth.
While this may correct itself over time, often it needs to be corrected later with orthodontic treatment.
Tongue thrusting is common in infants, and they usually outgrow it. Those who don’t may have issues with swallowing and jaw development.
Constant thrusting of the tongue against the teeth can cause the teeth to move outward or spread out. This can cause bite problems, such as an overbite or open bite.
Most children suck their thumbs or a pacifier as infants, but they should break the habit by age two. Children who continue to suck their thumbs or a pacifier can delay jaw development, leading to an overbite or open bite.
It’s important to break your child's thumb-sucking or pacifier habit by age 2 to avoid the need for orthodontic treatment later.
Children who breathe through their mouths instead of their noses may have facial development changes that can affect the teeth and jaws. Mouth breathing can be caused by allergies, nasal congestion, or enlarged tonsils.
Problems chewing can change teeth and jaw alignment over time. This can be caused by bad habits, genetics, or even pain from cavities or gum disease. It’s a good idea to consult your child’s pediatric dentist if they show signs of difficulty while chewing.
Children grow and develop as their parents did. If you had issues with your teeth and jaws growing up, there is a chance your child could have similar issues. However, your child’s dental issues may resolve in different ways from yours, so there is no guarantee your child will grow out of their dental issues, even if you did.
Just because your child’s teeth shift as they grow doesn’t mean they will need braces. Your children’s teeth can shift out of place, then shift back into place as they continue to grow and develop.
Not every child needs braces. However, the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) says that up to 65% could benefit from braces in their lifetimes.
The best way to find out whether your child needs braces is to consult an orthodontist. The AAO recommends an orthodontic consultation by age 7. This gives your child time to develop their permanent teeth and get all of their baby teeth in.
This consultation also gives your child a chance to start getting in their permanent teeth. Children usually lose their first tooth by age 6. The orthodontist will be able to see how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing and whether any dental issues need correction.
Some children benefit from early orthodontic treatment. Two-phase orthodontic treatment consists of orthodontic appliances to help your child’s developing teeth and jaws, and braces later if needed to correct any bite issues.
Some children may only need phase one treatment to steer their jaw development in the right direction, or they may only need braces later. Other children need both treatments.
The doctors at Woodhill Dental Specialties will examine your child during their consultation and let you know what type of treatment they might need and when.
Yes. Teeth move as the jaws develop, and permanent teeth erupt after milk teeth fall out.
No. Some children’s teeth will straighten as their jaws grow and develop. An orthodontic evaluation can help determine whether your child will need braces.
It’s recommended that children consult an orthodontist by age 7, after their permanent teeth begin to erupt. However, if your child’s teeth look uneven, very crowded, or are hard to clean, you might consult with an orthodontist sooner.
Teeth shifting is a common occurrence in children and often resolves on its own over time. For those whose teeth don’t straighten, orthodontic treatment early can prevent more serious dental issues later.
If you’re concerned about whether your child needs braces, schedule an appointment for orthodontic treatment in Dallas, TX, with Woodhill Dental Specialties. We can help your child develop a beautiful, healthy smile!
This site’s strategy, design, photo & video were created by the marginally-above-average folks @ Clear Partnering Group.
