We’ve talked about how kids’ teeth can shift and eventually straighten out again, but what happens when their teeth shift and stay crooked? Crowded teeth can harm your child’s oral health, so we encourage parents to consult an orthodontist.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that parents have their child examined by an orthodontist by age 7. Why so young? Crooked teeth can increase the chances of tooth decay and gum disease.
Woodhill Dental Specialties wants your child to achieve the best possible oral health. That may mean getting orthodontic treatment to reduce cavities and gum disease. How do crooked teeth harm your child’s oral health? The answers may surprise you.
What do we mean by crowded teeth in children? You may call it crooked teeth. It’s when teeth don’t have enough room to come in straight, so they come in twisted, sideways, or in front of or behind the other teeth.
What causes crowded teeth? There are several causes.
Crowded teeth or crooked teeth make it harder to keep them clean. It’s difficult for your child to clean every surface of each tooth, particularly if teeth overlap or if the space between the teeth is too tight for dental floss.
Crooked teeth can trap food more easily, and it’s more difficult to brush and floss food particles and plaque away if you can’t reach every surface easily.
Given these difficulties, crowded teeth can increase your child’s chances of getting cavities and gum disease compared to straight teeth.
You may think children are too young to get cavities, but that isn’t the case. Children’s snacks and juices often contain high levels of sugar, increasing their risk of tooth decay. Sugar, acids, and bacteria combine to form plaque on the teeth.
Small children are just learning how to brush their teeth properly. They may not get them as clean as an adult might. Having crooked teeth can make it even more difficult for your child to keep their teeth clean and free of tooth decay.
Crowded teeth often occur when permanent teeth erupt because they are larger and more numerous. If your child had crowded baby teeth, there is a chance they will have crowded permanent teeth. That means they may be at higher risk of tooth decay.
You may think gum disease is for older patients only, but children are just as vulnerable as adults. Difficulty brushing and flossing can lead to bacteria and plaque buildup along the gum line. This can cause irritation that can lead to gum disease.
How do crowded teeth affect your child’s chances of gum disease? Your toothbrush can’t brush along the gum line properly if the teeth are twisted, overlapping, or out of place.
Dental floss can’t clean gums properly with crooked teeth, either. It may not slide between the teeth if there isn’t enough space. This allows bacteria to grow there and irritate the gums.
You may notice your child’s gums becoming red, swollen, or even bleeding. These are clear signs of early-stage gum disease. Straight teeth allow toothbrushes and dental floss to clean the gums effectively. These reduce your child’s chances of getting gum disease.
Crooked teeth can lead to other problems beyond tooth decay and gum disease. Your teeth are designed to fit a certain way. If they aren’t where they should be, they can wear down faster. Worn enamel doesn’t regenerate — once it’s gone, it’s gone for good. Thin enamel can lead to chips, breaks, and cracks in your child’s teeth.
Tooth wear, tooth decay, gum disease, and other dental issues get worse over time. The sooner your child’s teeth are fixed, the better off they will be and the less damage will be done to their teeth.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that your child consult with an orthodontist by age 7. By that age, we can determine whether your child will need orthodontic treatment to achieve a straight, healthy smile.
The goal is for your child to keep a healthy smile for a lifetime. We can achieve this through good oral hygiene and orthodontic treatment to straighten teeth.
Braces or clear aligners can help straighten your child’s teeth. But what if your child’s teeth are crowded because there isn’t enough room for all of them?
Your child might need early treatment before braces to make it easier to achieve that straight smile. Woodhill Dental Specialties uses two-phase treatment in such cases.
Phase One orthodontic treatment uses dental appliances to make room for all teeth. This may involve using a palate expander to widen the jaw and make more room for the teeth.
A palate expander applies pressure on both sides of the jaw to widen it. This can create a gap between the front teeth, but braces treatment will close it later.
We can also use spacers to add room between teeth. This allows us to place bands on the teeth for braces. The spacers also provide room for proper brushing and flossing during treatment.
In rare cases, extractions may be necessary to provide enough space to straighten your child’s teeth. We avoid extractions unless necessary, but we may remove a set of premolars to make room for other teeth. Your child shouldn’t have any trouble chewing without them.
Once Phase One treatment is done, we move to Phase Two treatment. This involves using braces or clear aligners to straighten the teeth.
Once your child’s teeth are straight, they’ll find it’s much easier to keep them clean and healthy. This will reduce your child’s chances of tooth decay and gum disease and will give them a beautiful, healthy smile they’ll be proud to show off for years to come.
Yes, even good brushing may not cover every surface of the tooth, especially when teeth overlap or are severely crooked.
Yes, because it’s more difficult to get dental floss between crooked teeth than it is between straight teeth. This means it’s more difficult to keep gums clean and bacteria-free.
Straighter teeth are easier to clean, reducing the risk of cavities and tooth decay.
The recommended age is 7, which is about the time all baby teeth are in and permanent teeth are beginning to erupt to replace them. Your child’s orthodontist will be able to tell whether your child will have crowded teeth or other dental issues that will require orthodontic treatment.
Some children with crowded baby teeth outgrow them once the permanent teeth erupt. Others may have cases so mild they don’t need treatment. Your orthodontist will be able to tell you during your child’s first orthodontic consultation.
Not every child will need braces treatment for crowded teeth. Those who do should seek treatment as early as possible to reduce damage from crooked teeth and other dental issues.
Does your child need braces in Dallas, TX? If you are ready to schedule a braces consultation in Rockwall, TX, or Dallas, schedule an appointment with Woodhill Dental Specialties today.
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