Braces offer many advantages for children beyond simply improving their appearance. Unfortunately, it's not always possible to tell if your child needs braces simply by looking at his or her teeth. The dentists at Kevin M. Brown, DMD & Associates in Ayer, MA, can help you decide if your son or daughter could benefit from orthodontic treatment.
Can you answer yes to any of these questions?
The answers to these questions can help you determine if your child may need braces:
- Is my child worried about his or her appearance? Crooked, overlapping or protruding teeth may make your child feel self-conscious and could even begin to affect his or her self-esteem. Without treatment, issues may only worsen as your child gets older.
- Does my child have difficulty speaking clearly? Teeth play an important role in speech. When teeth aren't perfectly aligned, your child may have trouble pronouncing certain sounds or words.
- Has my child complained about pain? Misaligned teeth increase tension on your child's jaw and may cause headaches, stiffness and may cause temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ). Cuts in the mouth can occur when chewing if teeth are severely misaligned. Cracked teeth or worn tooth enamel may also be signs that your child needs braces.
- Did the dentist mention a bite problem during a visit to the Ayer dental office? Bite problems don't go away as your child gets older. If the problem isn't corrected, even if it appears minor, your child may be more likely to suffer damaged teeth, gum disease, TMJ and other problems. Kids who have overlapping teeth will be at higher risk of developing cavities due to the difficulty in cleaning the teeth thoroughly.
- Does my child have difficulty eating? Chewing and biting is easier if the upper and lower teeth meet together perfectly. When they don't, your child may not chew foods thoroughly.
Would you like to find out if your child needs orthodontic treatment? Call (978) 772-3747 to schedule an appointment with the Ayer, MA, dentists at Kevin M. Brown, DMD & Associates.