From the minute your child’s teeth erupt, you should keep an eye on their oral hygiene. While their baby teeth will eventually fall out to be replaced by permanent teeth, it’s still important that their oral hygiene is maintained for healthy teeth later in life. So, does it really matter if they have crooked baby teeth?
It might. Whilst it’s true that baby teeth are eventually replaced, their adult teeth are likely to be larger. This means that if your little one has crooked teeth; they may need orthodontic treatment once their adult teeth come in.
What to Do About Crooked Baby Teeth
If your child’s little one’s teeth are crooked, you don’t need to stress just yet. An infant’s jaw changes a lot in the first year of life. Their permanent teeth grow in a different way to baby teeth.
If you notice that your little one’s teeth are coming in crooked, it’s worth remembering that most baby teeth are a little crooked, and your baby’s teeth will likely straighten out on their own.
If you are worried, you should speak to your child’s dentist to determine different options. In some cases, crooked baby teeth can be a sign of other problems, so you may want to play it safe.
Your child’s dentist will likely recommend monitoring your baby’s smile for any red flags, like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting. Both of these can lead to problems later in childhood, like jaw alignment issues. By catching crooked teeth early, you can prevent your child from developing an underbite or overbite later on, too.
When to Visit Your Orthodontist
Children should visit the orthodontist from around the age of 7 or 8 years old. This gives us a chance to monitor the growth of the upper and lower jaws. We can also keep an eye on the development of their permanent teeth.
If your little one does have crooked baby teeth, we can also look at space maintenance and jaw growth. We can even discuss space-saving solutions.
Establishing a relationship with us early on can help you ensure your baby doesn’t suffer dental or jaw problems later on, saving you money on treatments.
Book a consultation at Medland Orthodontics today to discuss crooked baby teeth solutions.
