Children may develop crooked or misaligned teeth for a number of reasons; however, it is important for a child’s general wellbeing that these orthodontic issues be treated before they reach adulthood.
Mossley Dental Care, which provides dentistry for patients from Glossop, highlights some of the main reasons behind children’s’ crooked teeth:
Genetics
The development of the body is largely determined by inherited characteristics – facial structure and teeth are no exception. For instance, if your mouth is too small for your teeth, your teeth will become over-crowded as they descend or they will be forced to overlap. If your top jaw and bottom jaw differ notably in size, then it is possible to develop a malocclusion or ‘bad bite’.
Breathing Issues
If children have breathing problems early on in life, such as asthma, enlarged tonsils or respiratory allergies, then they may not be able to breathe properly through their nose. Children with these issues often breathe primarily through their mouth, forcing their mouth to stay open longer than normal. This can affect the positioning of the tongue and lips as well as the jaw muscles and, in turn, the shape of the jaw – all of which can result in bite problems and incorrect tooth alignment.
Tongue Thrusting
Tongue thrusting is a behavioural habit developed in childhood (sometimes continuing into adulthood) where the tongue is pushed against or through the front teeth when swallowing. This repetitive pressure against the teeth can dramatically alter tooth alignment.
Thumb Sucking
Many young children suck their thumb as a form of comfort, however, if thumb sucking continues when their adult teeth begin to develop then it can dramatically alter the shape of their jaw and the positioning of their teeth.
Fortunately, advancements in orthodontic technologies mean that misaligned teeth and bad bites can be corrected. If your child has crooked teeth, why not make an appointment at Mossley Dental Care to find out more about Damon Braces? Damon Braces have brackets with a sliding, ‘trap door’ mechanism, which is far more effective than traditional braces that use elastic ties. As such, Damon braces work much faster and require fewer adjustments and as Damon Braces only apply gentle pressure to the teeth they are more comfortable than traditional fixed braces.
