On Posted on April 16, 2025 by rohit-seo to Orthodontic Treatments Home / Blog / Understanding Common Orthodontic Issues in Children Since parents and guardians are charged with the role of nurturing their little ones’ overall health, looking after their dental health is, therefore, an inseparable part of this process. When ignored, orthodontic issues can precipitate complications in a child’s smile appearance, chewing, general oral hygiene or may lead to speech issues due to dental problems. The very early recognition of these problems can help in achieving a remedy for them and prevent some burdensome complications later on. This article addresses common problems in child orthodontics, their causes, consequences, and possible modes of treatment. Crowded Teeth This phenomenon occurs when there is inadequate space in the mouth for the proper eruption of all permanent teeth, resulting in one or more teeth overlapping or being nonaligned. Causes Genetics: Inherited traits may cause a small jaw structure so that all teeth cannot fit into the jaw. Early Loss of Baby Teeth: If baby teeth are lost too early, adjacent teeth can shift into that area and cause crowding during the eruption of permanent teeth. Thumb Sucking: Prolonged thumb sucking may influence development of the jaw and resultant crowding. Impacts Brushing: Cleaning teeth could become difficult, hence increasing the risk of cavities and gum diseases. Pressure: Unequal force applied to teeth could wear them down prematurely. Confidence: Self-esteem issues regarding the smile make an appearance. Treatment Options Braces: Conventional braces in metal or ceramic can gradually guide teeth into alignment. Palatal Expanders: Increase space for teeth coming in by widening the upper jaw. Tooth Extraction: For severe cases, removal of teeth may be needed to ease spacing. Children may experience a variety of orthodontic issues that can impact the development of their smile, which is why it’s important to seek early intervention for orthodontics in Calgary. Spacing Problems Spacing refers to unwanted gaps or spaces between teeth. This can occur anywhere in the mouth. Causes Small Teeth: When teeth are smaller, gaps are formed. Missing Teeth: Congenitally missing teeth give rise to spacing. Large Jaw Size: A big jaw can allow more space as needed for teeth. Impacts Eating: Food items can be lodged, and plaque formation and decay may ensue. Appearance: Aesthetic issues affecting the child’s confidence. Treatment Options Braces or Clear Aligners: These are meant to bring teeth together and close the gaps between them. Dental Bonding: Wood-like material can be applied to adjacent teeth to close small gaps. Veneers: Thin shells can be placed on teeth to aesthetically resolve spacing issues. Whether you’re seeking orthodontics for children in Calgary or need expert advice, contact your nearest dentist. Overbites An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth. Causes Genetics: One’s natural jaw structure can lead to the development of an overbite. Thumb Sucking or Pacifier Use: Prolonged habits can push upper teeth forward. Nail Biting or Pen Chewing: These habits can contribute to the development of an overbite. Impacts Teeth: There’s an increased risk of oral trauma to protruding front teeth. Eating: Difficulty in biting and chewing certain foods. Talking: Speech issues may sometimes develop. Treatment Options Braces: Used to move teeth into correct positions. Growth Modification Devices: Appliances like headgear can guide jaw growth in younger children. Invisalign: Clear aligners can correct mild to moderate overbites. Underbite An underbite is characterized by the lower front teeth protruding beyond the upper front teeth. Causes Genetics: Familial traits can lead to underbite development. Jaw Misalignment: Discrepancies in jaw size or position can result in an underbite. Impacts Difficulty in chewing and biting. Increased wear and tear on front teeth. Potential for jaw pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Treatment Options Braces: Align teeth and correct the bite. Reverse-Pull Headgear: Encourages forward growth of the upper jaw in younger children. Surgery: In severe cases, orthognathic surgery may be required to correct jaw alignment. Crossbite A crossbite occurs when some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. Causes Delayed Tooth Eruption: Late emergence of permanent teeth can lead to misalignment. Abnormal Jaw Growth: Disproportionate growth of the jaws can result in a crossbite. Impacts Tooth Wear: Uneven wear of teeth. Gums: Recession, where the tissue pulls away from the tooth. Jaw Growth: Asymmetrical jaw growth, if left untreated. Treatment Options Palatal Expanders: Widen the upper jaw to correct the crossbite. Braces: Align teeth properly. Removable Appliances: In mild cases, devices can be used to correct the bite. Importance of Early Intervention One common orthodontic issue that children may face is dental crowding, which occurs when there is insufficient space in the mouth for all the teeth to fit properly, leading to crooked or overlapping teeth. Addressing orthodontic issues during childhood is crucial. Early detection allows for timely interventions, which can: Guide jaw growth. Lower the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth. Correct harmful oral habits. Improve appearance and self-esteem. Simplify or shorten treatment time for later orthodontic procedures. Because Every Smile Deserves to be in Perfect Symmetry! Understanding and identifying common orthodontic issues in children is vital for ensuring their long-term oral health and overall well-being. Regular dental check-ups and early orthodontic evaluations can help detect problems before they escalate. If you notice any signs of the issues discussed above in your child, consider consulting with an orthodontic specialist. At Symmetry Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing personalized care to help your child achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Schedule a consultation with us today—because every smile deserves to be in perfect symmetry! Tagsorthodontics for children in Calgaryorthodontics in Calgary PreviousPrevious post:How Orthodontic Treatment Can Improve Your Teen’s Oral Health? NextNext post:The Connection Between Orthodontics and Sleep Apnea in Adults Recent Posts The Connection Between Orthodontics and Sleep Apnea in Adults Understanding Common Orthodontic Issues in Children How Orthodontic Treatment Can Improve Your Teen’s Oral Health? How to Maintain a Healthy Diet During Orthodontic Treatment Invisalign for Adults: Is It Worth It After 40?
Since parents and guardians are charged with the role of nurturing their little ones’ overall health, looking after their dental health is, therefore, an inseparable part of this process. When ignored, orthodontic issues can precipitate complications in a child’s smile appearance, chewing, general oral hygiene or may lead to speech issues due to dental problems. The very early recognition of these problems can help in achieving a remedy for them and prevent some burdensome complications later on. This article addresses common problems in child orthodontics, their causes, consequences, and possible modes of treatment. Crowded Teeth This phenomenon occurs when there is inadequate space in the mouth for the proper eruption of all permanent teeth, resulting in one or more teeth overlapping or being nonaligned. Causes Genetics: Inherited traits may cause a small jaw structure so that all teeth cannot fit into the jaw. Early Loss of Baby Teeth: If baby teeth are lost too early, adjacent teeth can shift into that area and cause crowding during the eruption of permanent teeth. Thumb Sucking: Prolonged thumb sucking may influence development of the jaw and resultant crowding. Impacts Brushing: Cleaning teeth could become difficult, hence increasing the risk of cavities and gum diseases. Pressure: Unequal force applied to teeth could wear them down prematurely. Confidence: Self-esteem issues regarding the smile make an appearance. Treatment Options Braces: Conventional braces in metal or ceramic can gradually guide teeth into alignment. Palatal Expanders: Increase space for teeth coming in by widening the upper jaw. Tooth Extraction: For severe cases, removal of teeth may be needed to ease spacing. Children may experience a variety of orthodontic issues that can impact the development of their smile, which is why it’s important to seek early intervention for orthodontics in Calgary. Spacing Problems Spacing refers to unwanted gaps or spaces between teeth. This can occur anywhere in the mouth. Causes Small Teeth: When teeth are smaller, gaps are formed. Missing Teeth: Congenitally missing teeth give rise to spacing. Large Jaw Size: A big jaw can allow more space as needed for teeth. Impacts Eating: Food items can be lodged, and plaque formation and decay may ensue. Appearance: Aesthetic issues affecting the child’s confidence. Treatment Options Braces or Clear Aligners: These are meant to bring teeth together and close the gaps between them. Dental Bonding: Wood-like material can be applied to adjacent teeth to close small gaps. Veneers: Thin shells can be placed on teeth to aesthetically resolve spacing issues. Whether you’re seeking orthodontics for children in Calgary or need expert advice, contact your nearest dentist. Overbites An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth. Causes Genetics: One’s natural jaw structure can lead to the development of an overbite. Thumb Sucking or Pacifier Use: Prolonged habits can push upper teeth forward. Nail Biting or Pen Chewing: These habits can contribute to the development of an overbite. Impacts Teeth: There’s an increased risk of oral trauma to protruding front teeth. Eating: Difficulty in biting and chewing certain foods. Talking: Speech issues may sometimes develop. Treatment Options Braces: Used to move teeth into correct positions. Growth Modification Devices: Appliances like headgear can guide jaw growth in younger children. Invisalign: Clear aligners can correct mild to moderate overbites. Underbite An underbite is characterized by the lower front teeth protruding beyond the upper front teeth. Causes Genetics: Familial traits can lead to underbite development. Jaw Misalignment: Discrepancies in jaw size or position can result in an underbite. Impacts Difficulty in chewing and biting. Increased wear and tear on front teeth. Potential for jaw pain and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Treatment Options Braces: Align teeth and correct the bite. Reverse-Pull Headgear: Encourages forward growth of the upper jaw in younger children. Surgery: In severe cases, orthognathic surgery may be required to correct jaw alignment. Crossbite A crossbite occurs when some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed. Causes Delayed Tooth Eruption: Late emergence of permanent teeth can lead to misalignment. Abnormal Jaw Growth: Disproportionate growth of the jaws can result in a crossbite. Impacts Tooth Wear: Uneven wear of teeth. Gums: Recession, where the tissue pulls away from the tooth. Jaw Growth: Asymmetrical jaw growth, if left untreated. Treatment Options Palatal Expanders: Widen the upper jaw to correct the crossbite. Braces: Align teeth properly. Removable Appliances: In mild cases, devices can be used to correct the bite. Importance of Early Intervention One common orthodontic issue that children may face is dental crowding, which occurs when there is insufficient space in the mouth for all the teeth to fit properly, leading to crooked or overlapping teeth. Addressing orthodontic issues during childhood is crucial. Early detection allows for timely interventions, which can: Guide jaw growth. Lower the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth. Correct harmful oral habits. Improve appearance and self-esteem. Simplify or shorten treatment time for later orthodontic procedures. Because Every Smile Deserves to be in Perfect Symmetry! Understanding and identifying common orthodontic issues in children is vital for ensuring their long-term oral health and overall well-being. Regular dental check-ups and early orthodontic evaluations can help detect problems before they escalate. If you notice any signs of the issues discussed above in your child, consider consulting with an orthodontic specialist. At Symmetry Orthodontics, we are dedicated to providing personalized care to help your child achieve a healthy, beautiful smile. Schedule a consultation with us today—because every smile deserves to be in perfect symmetry!