5 Signs You Should Take Your Child To An Orthodontist

If you’re like me, you’ve probably been avoiding taking your child to the best orthodontist in Melbourne. You may have heard it’s expensive, or that the braces can be painful. But when I started noticing my son’s teeth weren’t straight and his jaw was growing in a funny way, I knew it was time to take action before anything got worse—for both of us.

1. Your child’s teeth are crooked or overcrowded.

Children’s teeth should be straight and well-spaced. If they are not, your child may have a problem with chewing and eating which could lead to speech problems or even tooth decay and gum disease.

The best orthodontist in Melbourne can helps your child achieve the smile he or she desires by helping to align the bite and correct spacing between the teeth. An orthodontist will recommend treatment options based on the needs of each individual patient.

2. Your child is sucking his or her thumb or using a pacifier for a prolonged period.

If your child is sucking his or her thumb or using a pacifier for a prolonged period, it could be an indication that they have an underlying orthodontic issue.

• It can cause dental issues such as malocclusion (misaligned teeth) and delayed eruption of permanent teeth.
• It can also cause speech problems like lisping and difficulty pronouncing certain sounds.
• If a child continues to suck their thumb or use a pacifier after age 4, it may cause jaw problems that require early intervention by an orthodontist.

3. Your child has an overbite, underbite, or crossbite.

• An overbite is when the top teeth are too far forward compared to the bottom teeth, which causes the lower jawbone to stick out.
• An underbite occurs when there’s not enough space between your child’s two front teeth. The upper or lower jaw may be too narrow, or they may have an oddly shaped cheekbone that creates a gap that causes their bite to be off-center.

• A crossbite occurs when one tooth doesn’t fit properly into its socket in either direction: often because of an uneven set of jaws or missing teeth. 
• This can affect how your child holds his or her mouth open during speech and can wear down other teeth over time by causing them to rub against each other more than usual (known as “excessive occlusal loading”).

4. Your child has trouble speaking.

If your child has difficulty speaking, it could be a sign of an underlying problem. Speech and language difficulties can occur in children with a number of conditions and disorders, including hearing loss or learning disabilities. Your child’s pediatrician can help determine the cause of the speech delay, so be sure to schedule an appointment if this is something you’re concerned about.

5. Your child regularly breathes through his or her mouth.

If your child breathes through his or her mouth, it can lead to speech problems. This is because the tongue will rest on the palate rather than on the teeth. When the tongue rests on the palate, it’s harder for them to make certain sounds like “f” and “v” which are important parts of speech development in children. 

If your child breathes through their mouth frequently, they may develop bad breath as well as tooth decay from poor oral hygiene – especially if they have a habit of sucking on their thumb or fingers during sleep (which causes dry mouth).

Conclusion

As a parent, it’s important to know when your child needs an orthodontist. If you suspect that your child may need an orthodontic evaluation or treatment, contact best orthodontist Melbourne as soon as possible.