Can You Prevent Crooked Teeth?

VANCOUVER, British Columbia - Dec. 24, 2014 - PRLog -- Have you watched your child spend time in orthodontic treatment and wondered if there was something you could have done differently to prevent it? Is it even possible to prevent crooked teeth?

While not every case that requires braces or other orthodontic care can be prevented, there are several instances where early intervention might actually make a difference. Dentists have identified several habits that, if caught early enough might save your child some time in the orthodontist's chair.

Does your child breathe through his or her mouth? Mouth breathing might actually be damaging your child's bite. Why? When you breathe regularly, your tongue sits on the inside of your teeth and compensates for any pressure your cheeks might place on the teeth. But when you breathe through your mouth, the tongue gets pushed down, leaving nothing to counteract the pressure from your cheeks on your top teeth. Over time, the upper teeth can become misaligned.

Sucking on a thumb or finger and extended use of a bottle or pacifier can also be damaging. The constant sucking pulls on the teeth, resulting in crooked teeth and bad bites. Help your child break these habits early.

Bruxism is the grinding of teeth, typically while sleeping. This constant grinding can wear down teeth, causing an uneven bite. It can also cause headaches and muscle aches. If your child grinds his or her teeth, discuss this with your dentist or orthodontist. Your child may require the use of a Mouthguard to protect his teeth at night.

It's important to take proper care of baby teeth to avoid decay and tooth loss. Losing teeth too early can damage your child's bite, and cause permanent teeth to erupt in incorrect locations.

While these issues can be prevented with a little time and attention, other cases are simply unavoidable. Sometimes genetics play a role in crooked teeth, as does how a child's jaw grows. It's important to remember that some orthodontic cases are the result of simple bad luck in genetics. This is why it is important to begin seeing an orthodontist at the age of 7. At this time, your Vancouver orthodontist (http://www.vancouverorthodontics.com/meet-our-specialists...) can begin monitoring your child's bite to watch for signs of irregularity and begin any necessary treatment at exactly the right time.

Learn More:

Learn more about the services offered by BC Orthodontics Group by visiting their website (http://www.vancouverorthodontics.com) or contacting their office. Dr. Aly Kanani and his professional staff provide Orthodontic care for children and adults (http://www.vancouverorthodontics.com/common-problems.html). They serve Vancouver and surrounding areas.

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