Signs Your Child Needs Braces: A Helpful Guide

As a parent, you want the best for your child – including a healthy, confident smile. If you’ve noticed some issues with your child’s teeth or jaw, you might be wondering whether braces are the next step. Recognising the signs early is key to supporting their dental health and overall well-being.

Common signs that your child needs braces include difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting or shifting and clicking jaws. If their teeth are crowded, misplaced or blocked out or if they often bite their cheek or the roof of their mouth, it could be time to see an orthodontist.

Keep reading to learn more about the signs and when to take action.

Signs Your Child Needs Braces – A Quick Overview

If your child shows signs of misaligned teeth or jaws, it might be time to think about braces. Issues like difficulty chewing or biting, mouth breathing and habits, such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, can also signal a need for orthodontic care. These problems can affect your child’s oral health, self-esteem and confidence. Early orthodontic assessment can help address these concerns early, leading to effective treatment and a confident smile.

Get Premier Braces for Children at Vivaldi Smile Artisans in Australia

Ensure your child’s smile is in the best hands with Vivaldi Smile Artisans, your trusted local experts in children’s orthodontics. We specialise in fitting braces that not only correct dental issues but also promote confidence and comfort throughout your child’s treatment. Our skilled doctor in Australia combine advanced techniques with compassionate care to create a seamless experience. Ready to see your child smile with confidence?

Call us today on (02) 8252 7677 or visit our contact page to set up your appointment. Let’s start this transformative journey together.

Signs Your Child Needs Braces

Spotting the need for braces early can be crucial for your child’s dental health and overall well-being. Here, we look at some common signs that might indicate your child needs orthodontic treatment. Recognising these signs sooner can lead to effective treatment and a lifetime of healthy smiles.

1. Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth are a common sign that braces may be needed. When teeth are too close together, cleaning them properly becomes tricky. This can lead to plaque build-up and an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Braces can create more space between the teeth, making it easier to maintain good oral hygiene and preventing bigger dental problems.

2. Overbite

An overbite occurs when the upper teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth. This misalignment can make chewing difficult and sometimes cause speech problems. It can also put unnecessary pressure on the front teeth, leading to wear or even injury. Orthodontic treatment can help correct the bite, improving both function and facial appearance.

3. Underbite

Underbite happens when the lower teeth extend past the upper teeth. It can cause uneven wear on the lower teeth, jaw discomfort and difficulty chewing. In severe cases, an underbite can affect the shape of the face. Braces can help realign the teeth and jaw, relieving strain and restoring function.

4. Open Bite

Open bite is when the upper and lower teeth don’t touch when the mouth is closed. This often develops from habits like thumb-sucking or prolonged pacifier use. An open bite can make eating difficult and affect speech, like causing a lisp. Braces can close the gap, making chewing easier and improving speech clarity.

5. Misaligned Jaw Position

If your child’s upper and lower jaws don’t align properly, it can cause uneven wear on the teeth, leading to dental issues, such as fractures or enamel wear. It can also result in jaw pain or discomfort, which can affect the ears and face muscles. Braces can help realign the jaw, reduce pain and prevent further complications.

6. Gaps Between Teeth

Gaps, or diastemas, between teeth can affect both function and appearance. These spaces can make chewing and speaking difficult, and they also increase the risk of food getting trapped, leading to gum disease or cavities. Braces can close these gaps and realign the teeth for better function and overall oral health.

7. Difficulty Chewing or Biting

If your child struggles with chewing or biting, it’s often a sign that their teeth are misaligned. Misalignment causes uneven pressure when chewing, which can make eating uncomfortable and lead to future dental issues. Braces can help distribute the biting force evenly, improving comfort and preventing oral health problems.

8. Early, Late or Irregular Loss of Baby Teeth

The timing and order of baby teeth falling out can be a clue to orthodontic health. Losing teeth too early, due to decay or injury, or too late, which may affect the eruption of permanent teeth, can lead to misalignment. Irregular tooth loss can disrupt the alignment of surrounding teeth, and braces may be needed to correct the issue.

9. Frequent Biting of the Cheeks or Roof of the Mouth

If your child regularly bites their cheeks or the roof of their mouth, it’s a sign their teeth aren’t properly aligned. This can cause painful sores or infections. Misalignment makes it harder for your child to bite down correctly, leading to these accidental bites. Braces can correct the alignment and reduce the risk of this happening.

10. Teeth That Don’t Meet Properly

If your child’s teeth don’t meet properly when they bite down, it can cause a range of functional issues. This condition, called malocclusion, can affect chewing and increase the risk of TMJ disorders, which cause pain in the jaw. Braces are a key treatment for correcting malocclusion, improving both oral health and the appearance of their smile.

What is the Right Age to Get Your Child Braces?

The ideal age for your child to get braces is typically between 8 and 14, as this is when the jaw and facial bones are still growing, making orthodontic treatment more effective. However, the right timing can vary depending on your child’s specific needs and dental issues.

During this period of rapid growth, it’s easier for doctors to move teeth into the right position. Early treatment may also reduce the length of time braces are needed and help address more complex issues before they become harder to fix later in life. Here are some factors that influence the best age for braces:

Dental Development: Most orthodontists suggest waiting until most of the permanent teeth have come through before starting braces. This ensures the best results.
Severity of Misalignment: If the misalignment is more severe, earlier intervention may be needed to guide the jaw and teeth into the right position.
Growth Spurts: Timing treatment with your child’s growth spurts can be helpful. Doctors may plan treatment during these periods to make the most of natural bone development.
Oral Habits: Habits like thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use can affect teeth alignment. Early treatment may be needed to prevent further issues.
Overall Health: Any underlying health conditions that impact bone development may influence the timing of orthodontic treatment. Some conditions may require coordination with other healthcare providers.
Readiness of the Child: A child’s emotional readiness can affect the success of the treatment. They should understand the process and be willing to follow the care instructions.
Social and School Commitments: Practical factors, such as school or extracurricular activities, might influence when to start treatment. Some parents prefer to begin treatment during less busy times, like school holidays.

Types of Braces for Kids

When it comes to choosing braces for children, there are several options, each with unique benefits. Some of the most popular types are:

1. Metal Braces

Metal braces are highly effective for correcting a wide range of orthodontic problems, from simple to complex alignments. Their durability and strength make them a top choice for orthodontic professionals and patients alike. Additionally, modern metal braces are smaller and more comfortable than ever, which makes them a practical option for children and teenagers.

2. Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces offer a less visible alternative to metal braces, using clear or tooth-coloured brackets to blend in with the natural colour of the teeth. They are just as effective as metal braces but are particularly appealing to those who prefer a more discreet orthodontic solution.

3. Lingual Braces

Lingual braces provide the ultimate aesthetic discretion by being completely hidden from view and attached to the back surfaces of the teeth. They are custom-made to fit the unique contour of each tooth, making them an ideal choice for patients concerned about the visibility of their orthodontic treatment.

4. Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces feature a built-in mechanism to hold the wire, which eliminates the need for elastic or metal ties. This design reduces the amount of pressure exerted on the tooth and decreases the need for frequent tightening appointments, making the treatment process smoother and more comfortable.

5. Clear Aligners

Clear aligners are custom-made, removable trays that gradually shift teeth into their correct positions. They are virtually invisible, so they offer an aesthetic solution for correcting orthodontic issues. Their removability allows for easier eating and cleaning, providing a flexible and convenient treatment option.

6. Customised Braces

Customised braces are designed to conform precisely to the individual’s dental anatomy, which provides a more comfortable fit and efficient treatment. These braces are created using advanced technology to ensure that they meet the specific orthodontic needs of the patient. This potentially shortens treatment time and improves outcomes.

7. Colourful Braces

Colourful braces transform orthodontic treatment into a more enjoyable and personalised experience. Children can choose from a wide array of colours to express their personality or even coordinate with events and holidays, making the treatment journey more engaging and fun.

Are There Alternatives to Braces?

While traditional braces are a popular and effective method for correcting dental misalignments, some children may benefit from alternative treatments depending on their specific needs and conditions. These alternatives can provide different benefits, such as aesthetic discretion, less invasiveness or addressing issues that braces alone cannot correct.

1. Clear Aligners

Clear aligners, like Invisalign, are an excellent alternative to braces. They consist of a series of custom-made, clear plastic trays that fit snugly over the teeth, gently moving them into the desired position over time. Their transparency makes them much less noticeable than traditional braces, and their removable nature allows for easier eating and oral hygiene.

2. Retainers

Retainers are not only used for post-braces alignment maintenance but can also be employed as a stand-alone treatment for very minor adjustments. For instance, if a child’s teeth need slight corrections, a retainer may be used to achieve this without the need for full braces. Retainers need to be worn as prescribed by an orthodontist to be effective.

3. Dental Jaw Surgery

In more severe cases, particularly those involving the jaw rather than just the teeth, orthodontic surgery might be recommended. This can include procedures like jaw repositioning, surgical removal of teeth or modifications to the bone structure, which braces alone cannot achieve. This option is usually considered for older children or adults whose jaw bones have stopped growing.

4. Palatal Expanders

For children who have a narrow upper jaw, palatal expanders can be used to widen the upper jaw so that the upper teeth fit properly with the lower teeth. This is often used before braces to make the orthodontic treatment more effective and sometimes can reduce the need for braces altogether.

5. Headgear

Headgear is a type of orthodontic appliance attached to the braces from the outside of the mouth. It exerts additional force to guide the direction of jaw growth and tooth movement. This method is typically used in younger children who are still growing and is often worn only during the evening or at night.

Final Thoughts

Spotting the signs that your child may need braces is the first step to a healthy smile. Issues like crowded teeth or jaw problems can guide you on when to have an orthodontic assessment.

Early treatment leads to better results for your child’s dental health. If you think braces might be needed, an orthodontist can help find the right solution for a confident smile.