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Does your child need orthodontic treatment?

posted 19/10/2015

Are you aware of the signs that could indicate whether a child requires orthodontic treatment? Do you know that certain problems in the teeth won’t just improve with age – they’ll most likely require work to help correct the issue in the long-term.

The majority of orthodontic braces are placed in childhood, as this is normally when problems with the bite and development of the jaw are detected. When problems are dealt with early there is a much better chance of success and almost all young orthodontic patients will benefit greatly as a result of such improvements.

On average, over 200,000 patients start orthodontic treatment in the UK every year. Over 90% of these patients are children. While many of them are under 13 when they begin treatment, the vast majority fall between 13 and 17 years of age.

If the development of teeth is not corrected, it can result in many issues in the future.  These range from unattractive looking teeth and pain in the jaw, neck or head to very severe difficulties with eating. While crooked or widely spaced teeth can be embarrassing to show off, they can also prove difficult to keep healthy as it can often be difficult to clean between them.

Incorrect jaw development can also cause problems with the overall appearance of the face. Sometimes the lips or chin become more protruded, or there may be an imbalance in the facial features due to a lack of support from the soft tissue and bone underneath.

If you do notice any of the following, then your child may require orthodontic treatment:

  • If the front top and bottom teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed. This is called an ‘open’ bite.
  • If the top teeth sit too far over the bottom ones, resulting in a deep or ‘over’ bite.
  • If the bottom teeth stick out further than the top ones, causing an ‘under’ bite.
  • Protruded or rotated teeth, abnormal eruption of adult teeth (appearing above the existing teeth), excessive spacing and overcrowding are all issues that should also be investigated.

If you have any concerns about the development of your child’s teeth please contact us today for a free consultation. We can offer further advice and information on orthodontic braces to help ensure they can enjoy a healthy and attractive smile for the rest of their life.

Contact us now on 02380 220008.