Top 5 Signs Your Child May Need Braces

As parents, you want the best for your child’s health, and that includes their smile. Many children will need braces at some point, but how do you know when it’s the right time to consult an orthodontist? Here are five key signs to look out for that could indicate your child may benefit from braces.

1. Crowded/Crooked Teeth

Crowded teeth are one of the most common reasons children need braces. If your child’s teeth overlap or appear crooked when they smile, it might be a sign that their jaws are too small to accommodate all their teeth properly. Early intervention can prevent this issue from worsening as more adult teeth come in.

2. Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth

Children typically lose their baby teeth between ages 6 and 12. If your child loses their baby teeth earlier or much later than this, it may affect how their adult teeth grow in. An orthodontist can evaluate whether early or late tooth loss could lead to alignment issues in the future.

3. Biting or Chewing Difficulties

Pay attention to how your child eats. If they frequently bite their cheeks, struggle to chew properly, or their teeth don’t seem to meet correctly when their jaws close, these could be signs of a misaligned bite (overbite, underbite, or crossbite). These conditions often require orthodontic treatment to correct.

4. Thumb Sucking or Dummy Use

Thumb sucking or prolonged dummy use can influence the growth of your child’s teeth and jaw. If your child continues these habits beyond the age of 3, it could lead to dental issues such as an open bite, where the upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly.

5. Speech Impairments

Sometimes, crooked or misaligned teeth can impact your child’s ability to pronounce certain words correctly. If your child has a lisp or difficulty forming certain sounds, it might be a good idea to consult with an orthodontist to determine if their teeth alignment is contributing to the problem.

Early orthodontic consultations can help guide your child’s dental development and prevent more severe issues later in life. If you notice any of these signs, consider scheduling a consultation with your orthodontist. They can evaluate your child’s teeth and create a plan to ensure a healthy, beautiful smile for the future.

By Dr Hans Antov (Specialist Orthodontist, Smmmile Leeds)

Dr Hans, Specialist Orthodontist Smmmile Leeds

Hello, I’m Dr Hans Antov, proud to be the Specialist Orthodontist here at Smmmile Leeds. I feel very fortunate to do what I love every day: helping adults, teens, and children achieve confident, healthy smiles. As a Specialist Orthodontist, I’m able to treat even the most complex cases, whether that’s improving a bite, guiding children’s teeth as they grow, or creating discreet treatment plans for adults.

My training included hospital-based roles in Restorative Dentistry, Paediatrics, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, followed by a competitive national orthodontic programme and Doctorate in Orthodontics. Along the way, I was honoured to receive awards for both clinical performance and academic achievement, as well as Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons. At Smmmile, we’re proud to be among the top 1% of Invisalign providers, with over 11,000 smiles already transformed.

We know life can be busy, so we offer evening and weekend appointments to make treatment as easy and flexible as possible. Above all, my goal is for every patient to feel welcomed, understood, and confident that together we’ll create a smile they can truly love for years to come.

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