What Houston Parents Need to Know About Crooked Teeth in Children

Everyone adores a child’s smile, even if their teeth appear a little crooked. While it may not seem like a big issue at first, crooked teeth can make your child feel less confident about their looks. Our experienced dental team in Houston explains some of the common causes of crooked teeth in children and how orthodontic treatment may help.  

What Causes Crooked Teeth in Children?

Here are some of the reasons why your little one’s teeth appear out of line:

Bad oral habits

In many cases, the reason behind your child’s crooked teeth can be traced back to their early habits. Did your little one have a thumb-sucking habit or still has it? Did they use a pacifier more often than they should?

If your answer is yes, these habits could be the reason why your child’s teeth appear misaligned now.

Timing of tooth loss

When baby teeth fall out too early or too late, the adult teeth don’t erupt in a normal pattern as they should. As a result, the adult teeth appear crooked later on. This is a common reason why many Houston parents seek orthodontic consultation at our office.

Genetics

One thing many parents don’t know about is that crooked teeth can be caused by genetics. If one or both parents have crooked teeth, their children may also be more likely to develop similar alignment issues. 

Dental trauma or illness

An injury to the mouth or jaw, or certain developmental conditions, can sometimes affect how teeth erupt and align. 

When to See a Dentist for Your Child’s Crooked Teeth?

Many parents see that their child’s teeth appear a bit crooked when they are in the “mixed dentition” stage. This is the phase where the baby teeth fall out one after another and get replaced by adult teeth. Mild crowding or uneven alignment is common during this stage, and some teeth naturally move into better alignment as more permanent teeth erupt. However, not every case resolves on its own. 

For many kids, teeth misalignment still persists even after the adult teeth have grown in. If that happens, there’s no point waiting for the issue to resolve. You need to consult an experienced dentist when you notice that your kid has:

• Severely crooked teeth
• Overlapping teeth
• Narrow jaw or palate
• Bite issues (underbite, open bite, etc.)
• Difficulty eating or talking normally due to tooth positioning

Once we have evaluated your child, our dentist will be able to advise if your child requires early orthodontic treatment now or braces at a later stage.

Final Words

Crooked teeth are more than just a cosmetic issue. If you notice your child is having problems due to teeth misalignment, consult our qualified dental expert at Aquario Dental & Braces today. Book an appointment at our Wayside Drive or West Little York office.