For parents, it is key to examine your child’s teeth as the permanent teeth grow in. Although children mature at different rates, the following are signs that may indicate the need for an early orthodontic examination:
- early or late loss of baby teeth
- difficulty chewing or biting
- crowding, malpositioned, or blocked out teeth
- a gap between upper and lower front teeth when the child bites down
- biting of the cheeks or the roof of the mouth
- teeth that do not meet at all
- jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
- finger sucking or pacifier habits beyond the age of six
- top front teeth which stick out, protrude or are “bucked”
- baby teeth that do not grow to full height like their neighbors
- top front teeth which grow in behind the bottom front teeth
- top front teeth which cover more than 25% of the bottom front teeth when the back teeth are biting together
- a weak or prominent chin
- neighboring teeth which shift out of alignment when the tooth between them has been removed
- when the centers of the top and bottom front teeth don’t line up
- teeth which wear unevenly
- jaws that shift off center when the teeth bite together
- excessive spaces between teeth that persist after the top permanent canine teeth appear
- teeth which cause embarrassment or smiles that are hidden by hands
This information is also available in: Spanish
