Common Issues Treated by a Pediatric Orthodontics Specialist

A pediatric orthodontic specialist can help your child with many orthodontic issues. For example, poorly aligned teeth can cause difficulty chewing and speech impairments. In addition, it can lead to an increased risk of teeth grinding and tooth decay. If your child has signs and symptoms of orthodontic problems, early intervention by an experienced pediatric orthodontist can help preserve the health and beauty of their smile. Continue reading to learn more about common pediatric orthodontic issues.

Symptoms of pediatric orthodontic issues

Difficulty chewing or biting

A child's struggle with chewing or biting could be due to misaligned teeth or jaw. This can lead to a higher risk of choking. 

Grinding of the teeth

If a child is grinding their teeth, it could be a sign of misalignment. If left untreated, it can permanently damage their developing teeth. In addition, it can also shift their jaw and teeth alignment.

Jaw shifting or clicking

Parents may notice that their child's jaw shifts or clicks. It may do this because of an improper alignment. It could also signify the child having Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ) when the muscles or ligaments around their jaw joints are inflamed or irritated. 

Mouth breathing

When a child consistently breathes their mouth, it can affect the appearance of their face and teeth. This is due to their tongue does not fully rest on their mouth's roof. As a result, it can lengthen their face and cause a narrower jaw.

Common pediatric orthodontic issues

Crooked or crowded teeth

Healthy teeth and gums are essential to a child's oral health. However, if they have crooked or crowded teeth, it can make it harder for them to brush and floss. This can lead to an increased probability of tooth decay and gum disease.

Early or late loss of baby teeth

Children typically start losing their baby teeth between ages six and 15. This timeline can help with their proper speech and facial development. In addition, primary teeth hold the proper space for their permanent teeth, which help guide them to the proper position. When children lose their teeth too early, they could suffer from numerous orthodontic complications, such as:

  • Speech development
  • Facial development
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Misaligned teeth or crowding
  • Impacted teeth

In contrast, some children can be late bloomers and lose their teeth longer than normal. This situation has an equal amount of developmental and orthodontic issues, such as permanent teeth erupting behind the baby teeth and overcrowding the mouth.

Gapped teeth

Many children have gaps in their teeth. They can occur due to genetics, missing teeth, dental trauma, or poor oral habits, such as thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use. A gap in a child's teeth may not harm their overall dental health but may harm their self-esteem and inner confidence.

Malocclusion

A malocclusion is where a child's teeth are misaligned. This condition can lead to oral health complications if it is left untreated. Types of malocclusions include:

  • Crossbite: This type of malocclusion is where upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth. It can affect a single tooth or an entire group of teeth, including the front or back teeth.
  • Openbite: With an open bite, a child's upper and lower rows of front teeth do not touch or close when they smile or chew. They can be caused by thumb sucking and grow into a rounded formation.
  • Overbite: An overbite is characterized by too much overlap between the upper and lower front teeth. This can cause a collapsed lip line, making the chin and nose appear larger.
  • Underbite: This condition occurs when the bottom teeth stick out in front of the upper teeth.

Types of pediatric orthodontic treatment

Parents need to seek orthodontic treatment for their children. It is easier for pediatric orthodontic specialists to treat issues while a child's jaw develops. Their bone structure is not as rigid as a fully-developed adult jaw and will require fewer future treatments. Some of these treatment methods include:

  • Aligners: Clear plastic aligners are a common alternative to regular braces and can help straighten out crooked teeth while being virtually invisible.
  • Braces: These are the most common type of fixed orthodontic appliances. They consist of wires, bands, and brackets to straighten crooked teeth or misaligned jaws.
  • Palatal expanders: These devices help widen the arch of the upper jaw.
  • Space maintainers: Space maintainers can be fixed or removable. They help adult teeth grow into place and maintain the right amount of space for them.

In conclusion

A pediatric orthodontics specialist can help protect your child's developing smile and ensure that their teeth and jaw are healthy and functional. In addition, these specialized services can also help boost their self-confidence. Call our office to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

To learn more about our pediatric orthodontic services, visit https://www.hvkidsmiles.com or call (845) 363-4177 to schedule an appointment.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Orthodontics for Children in Middletown, NY.

Recent Posts

How Oral Hygiene Basics Can Help Prevent Cavities

The oral hygiene basics kids need to practice to keep their teeth looking clean and breath fresh will also protect their teeth from cavities. Unfortunately, cavities are common in children. However, good cleaning habits and consistency in an oral care regimen can spare teeth from the damage and decay that causes cavities to form. Here…

Emergency Pediatric Dentist: Quick Responses To Save Your Child's Smile

An emergency pediatric dentist can resolve your child’s smile issues. Pain is the most significant sign your child needs emergency dental care. A quick response is important to give your child relief. Here are the quick treatments from your emergency pediatric dentist to restore your child’s smile.A chewing incident or a bad fall can cause…

The Role Of Pediatric Dental X-Rays In Preventing Cavities In Children

Pediatric dental X-rays play a significant role in your child’s oral health. The pediatric dentist will order this diagnostic imaging from time to time. The X-rays show what is happening underneath the gumline. Here are the details about the role of pediatric dental X-rays in keeping cavities at bay.Statistics show that 90% of adults at…

Oral Hygiene Basics Before Your Kids Go To Sleep

Oral hygiene basics are crucial for promoting strong oral health in your child. While responsibly caring for your child's teeth requires attention throughout the day, it is equally important to establish a bedtime routine that focuses on maintaining oral hygiene. Following these tips can help you keep your child's teeth and gums healthy over time.Regularly…

Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry

Share
Published by
Hudson Valley Pediatric Dentistry

Recent Posts

How Oral Hygiene Basics Can Help Prevent Cavities

The oral hygiene basics kids need to practice to keep their teeth looking clean and…

1 day ago

Emergency Pediatric Dentist: Quick Responses to Save Your Child’s Smile

Seeing an emergency pediatric dentist is important for the child’s immediate relief and general well-being.

3 days ago

The Role of Pediatric Dental X-Rays in Preventing Cavities in Children

Dental X-rays are useful in locating cavities in specific areas of the teeth.

3 days ago

Oral Hygiene Basics Before Your Kids Go to Sleep

Oral hygiene basics are crucial for promoting strong oral health in your child. While responsibly…

4 days ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: Choosing the Right Toothbrush

Everyone learns oral hygiene basics when young, but some details get lost over time. When…

1 week ago

Oral Hygiene Basics: Keep Your Child’s Teeth in Good Shape

Good oral health starts with oral hygiene basics. As a parent, it is important to…

2 weeks ago