You see the obvious things. The first tooth. The tooth that is loose. You also see the photo from your kid’s school showing a smile with some kind of jam stuck to one half of their face and a front tooth missing. But it is the little things that have the tendency to slip into your day unnoticed, and hidden among all of the other things that you do on a daily basis, including snacking, reading books before bed, and making sure they remember to brush. Typically, when a child’s teeth appear crooked or unaligned, they have been so for a while.
Small Signs Of Change Lying Right Before Our Eyes
Children’s mouths are continually changing (which is part of why we so easily overlook early warning signs of potential problems with alignment). Week to week, month to month, etc., there are continual shifts occurring in the mouth of a child. This week, a tooth seems slightly rotated. Next month, another tooth will arrive at an angle. We may think they will eventually line up perfectly after the baby teeth come out. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don’t.
Smiles appear too narrow, lower teeth are overly crowded, gaps appear to be abnormal, and the front two teeth don’t come together smoothly can all be indicators that your child’s mouth is developing in ways you may want to take a closer look at. There is absolutely no indication that something is wrong; it simply indicates that your child’s jaw, bite, and teeth may require closer evaluation.
You do not need to become an expert in the developmental stages of a child’s mouth. All you need to know is when something doesn’t “feel” quite right.
Timing Makes Much More Sense Than Perfection
Orthodontics isn’t merely concerned with having straight teeth. Orthodontic treatment can include ensuring proper jaw growth, determining if the upper and lower jaw bites together evenly, and providing adequate space for incoming permanent teeth to develop appropriately. Some issues are certainly easier to monitor and guide during the active growth period of a child.
Your child’s first orthodontic visit will allow you to learn if their smile development is going as expected or if close monitoring may assist in preventing potential issues from arising in the future. In some cases, no immediate treatment options are available at this time. This, by itself, can help alleviate many concerns for parents.
The purpose is not to put your child into braces right away. Rather, it is to avoid being unprepared because there was a potential problem that could have been prevented.
Possible Warning Signs You Are Ignoring
Parents are very busy. Lunch needs to be packed. Homework needs to be checked. Appointments need to be scheduled. Everyone needs to be somewhat clean and fed. It makes sense that if your child is experiencing some of the alignment issues we mentioned earlier, those will probably show up during a routine exam or when you are looking into your child’s mouth more closely than they have ever seen themselves. The following questions are things you should think about when talking with your pediatric dentist about your child’s oral health:
Does your child normally breathe through their nose or do they always breathe through their mouth?
- Is your child having trouble biting down on food (chewing)?
- Do the front teeth look like they’re crowded together?
- Has your child sucked on anything past the age of 2-3 years old (i.e., finger, pacifier, etc.)?
- Does your child say something similar to “My teeth don’t fit”?
These symptoms and behaviors could signal a problem that requires orthodontic care.
The Health And Beauty Connection Of A Happy Smile
It is perfectly acceptable to acknowledge that smiles carry emotion. You want your child to feel comfortable smiling for photographs, confident when laughing, and relaxed when speaking. What does this mean? This doesn’t necessarily mean seeking perfection. This means allowing your child to evolve into a smile that they enjoy wearing.
Here is the beauty and hygiene connection that occurs quietly. A well-balanced bite typically makes brushing easier. Crowded teeth are harder to clean. A child who feels less self-conscious may smile more freely.
What Happens During An Easy-Going Evaluation
An initial orthodontic consultation is typically far less intimidating than what many parents envision. Usually, it involves taking a look at how the teeth and jaws are developing. Images of the teeth and jaws may be taken; questions regarding habits; a Check of the bite; and an explanation of whether any follow-up action is recommended by the orthodontist may occur.
Your response may be that everything looks good, and your child should be evaluated again later. Regardless of whether you have determined that your child requires orthodontic care (and therefore will need such care in the future), or that your child’s bite can benefit from early intervention as a preventative approach for potential problems down the line, clarity has its many benefits with either continuing to monitor your child’s dental development, recommending orthodontic care currently, or neither.
Ways To Discuss Without Fostering Anxiety
As previously mentioned, children pick up on how adults describe their experiences. If you describe their teeth as a problem, they are more likely to feel embarrassed. If you describe their experience as simply a routine examination, they are more likely to remain calm.
Via Unsplash
You can say, “We’re just going to examine how your adult teeth are coming in.” Keep it as simple as possible. Children should not feel as if their naturally developed smiles are being judged or scrutinized. It is our intent to be supportive instead of critical. Comment on comfort and health. Ensure there is sufficient space for their smile to properly develop.
The Small Detail Worth Monitoring Early On
That small smile detail you’ve been planning to ask about may be completely irrelevant. It may simply be part of typical development. It could simply require ongoing monitoring. However, asking early can eliminate anxiety associated with worrying about the possibility of potential problems later on.
Parenting is full of moments when you can’t take in everything that is going on around you; however, there are times when one thing needs your attention. A happy smile from your child would certainly fall into this category. Not because they need to have the perfect smile, but for them to develop one with ease, confidence, and kindness.
