Does Your Child Need Braces? See An Orthodontist To Be Sure

Whether or not your child will need braces is something every parent worries about. They're expensive, and no one wants their kid to go through the pain and potential embarrassment involved with wearing braces.

It's hard to tell for sure if your child will have to get braces, but orthodontists can spot the potential for problems down the road when the child is as young as seven years old. Around that time, schedule an appointment with one. There should be no talk at all of having the child fitted for braces anytime soon, but you and the orthodontist will be able to plan ahead so you can get the process started as soon as possible. Goodness knows your child won't want braces for his or her graduation photos or when it's time to set off for college!

If your child is older than seven, definitely bring him or her to the orthodontist as soon as you can (unless, of course, the kid is in his or her teens and has perfect teeth, in which case there's probably no need). There are problems that can be spotted by parents, as well. Keep an eye out for: Crossbites, which occurs when a tooth or teeth are closer to the cheek or tongue than its peers.

Open bite, which occurs when the upper and lower front teeth are forced outwards so severely that they don't touch each other, even when the mouth is closed. Protrusion, which occurs when one or more of the front teeth jut out at an angle, away from the rest of the teeth. This is often accompanied by a gap between the top two teeth.

Deep bite, which is an extreme version of an overbite. Many people have slight overbites that can go untreated, but a deep bite can be problematic. In a deep bite, the top teeth rest over the lower so much that the lower teeth can barely, if at all, be seen. In some cases braces might not be enough; corrective oral surgery may also be needed.

Underbite, which is essentially the opposite of an over- or deep bite. The lower jaw protrudes out beyond the upper jaw, often giving the appearance of a prominent chin. (Think Jay Leno.) As with a deep bite, braces might not always be enough to correct the issue, and surgery may be called for.

Also be wary of early or late loss of baby teeth. Most kids lose their first around age 6 or 7, and their last around age 12 or 13, so if you notice your child is losing his or hers at irregular ages, visit the orthodontist. Other things to look out for are difficulty in chewing or biting; mouth breathing; jaws that shift or make sounds; speech difficulties; biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth; facial imbalance; and grinding or clenching of teeth.

If you notice any of these problems, it's important to schedule an appointment with your orthodontist as soon as possible. You might think your child is too young to start thinking about braces, but it's never too early to start planning.