Your Trusted Kansas City Childrens Orthodontist
At Kurt Kavanaugh Orthodontics, we believe everyone deserves a beautiful smile. That’s why we’re proud to provide a variety of expert orthodontic services, including Invisalign, to Kansas City area families, all in a warm and friendly office environment. Here, Dr. Kurt Kavanaugh and his dedicated staff are pleased to share a few common signs to watch out for that may point to the fact that your child requires orthodontic treatment.
Crooked or Crowded Teeth
If you notice that your child has very tight teeth or crowding issues, this may mean that there is simply not enough room to accommodate his or her permanent teeth. While not an immediate cause for concern, your Kansas City children’s orthodontist needs to closely monitor your child’s oral development to identify whether this may lead to a bigger problem. The same is true for crooked teeth. If your child has one or two teeth that seem out of place, this might be mostly a cosmetic issue, however, over time crooked teeth can wear down and may lead to gum disease. In addition, if there are severe misalignments, this can affect not only your child’s self-confidence, but also his or her oral health. Both issues can easily be corrected with braces or another form of orthodontic treatment.
Gaps & Spacing
Young children may have gaps or spaces between their primary teeth, but don’t worry – this is normal. However, if your child’s permanent teeth have all erupted, and you still notice gaps, this is a sign he or she will need braces to bring the teeth together and correct unsightly spacing.
Jaw Shape
If your child’s jaw appears small, misaligned, or disproportionate in any way, this could point to future bite issues such as underbite, overbite, or crossbite. Orthodontic treatment can prevent these from occurring.
Chewing or Speaking Difficulties
Does your child have problems speaking clearly, or with pronouncing words properly? Does he or she have any bad chewing habits? Either of these issues may indicate that the jaw is not functioning correctly. While not always the case, in many instances these issues with chewing or speaking are caused by a misaligned teeth and bite, both of which can be alleviated with braces.
Protruding Teeth
An overbite or underbite can cause your child’s teeth to protrude outward, which is not only unsightly, but also can cause wear on the teeth. If you notice protruding teeth, your child will need braces to correct the bite.
Invisalign & Braces at Your Kansas City Orthodontist
If your child is in need of orthodontic treatment, your children’s orthodontist has a variety of options, including Kansas City Invisalign and braces. If you have any questions or concerns related to your child’s oral development, or any of the services we provide, we welcome you to contact us. Or, request an appointment today. We look forward to hearing from you!
