It’s not just for looks
It’s a self esteem thing too.
Benefits of braces
Straight teeth and a healthy smile may impact on self-esteem, attitude and confidence of children (and adults too). This is especially important when children are developing social and psychological maturity in the teenage years. It is very common for a child with crooked teeth to avoid smiling or to cover their mouth when smiling.
There is a surprising amount of evidence that would suggest that kids are frequently teased and bullied when there are obvious crowding or spacing issues with the teeth. This can make a child less outgoing and less engaging in social situations due to the idea that other people may be judging them based on their teeth, having a huge negative impact on their self esteem and confidence. This an excellent reason to consider braces.
Teeth function best when the oral hygiene is good and when they are in the correct position. There is not a great deal of scientific evidence available to say that crooked teeth are bad. However, it is believed that teeth in the incorrect position can cause significant teeth wear, gum problems and sometimes, the bite shifting, which can contribute towards unfavourable jaw growth or an asymmetry in a child’s jaws.
Things to look out for…
- Thumb sucking
- Snoring and teeth grinding
- Finger nail biting
- Mouth breathing
- Crossbites
- Buck teeth and teeth that stick out
- Deep bites and overbites
- Open bites
- Space loss or crowding
- Abnormal eruption of teeth
- Underbite
Some of these problems can have significant consequences, so if you notice an issue or suspect a problem, please be dilligent and take your child to see a specialist orthodontist for a consultation.
