One of the most common times for braces is during a person’s teenage years. Orthodontists consider this to be between the ages of 12 and 16. By the age of 12, the majority of permanent teeth have developed. This is a time when bad bites, crooked teeth, and gaps are easy to detect. It is essential for a teenager to get regular orthodontic examinations. There are certain signs a parent of a teenager can look for that indicate braces may be necessary for their child.
Noticeable Overbite or Under Bite
This situation occurs when a teen’s upper jaw is larger than their lower jaw. Their upper teeth will be over their lower teeth when they bite down. An under bite is the same situation in reverse. It’s also possible for there to be a situation of a cross bite. This is when a teen’s teeth are positioned closer to their jaw or cheek than their other teeth. This can occur with teeth on their upper as well as lower jaw.
TMJ
This could be a sign of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). It is a disorder with the joint that connects a teen’s lower jaw to their skull. It can cause their disc joint to move out of place and change bite alignment. This will have a negative effect on the muscles used for chewing. It can result from a teen clenching or grinding their teeth. Having TMJ can also be a sign of other dental problems.
Noticeable Teeth Crowding
Many teens experience teeth crowding at different stages of their tooth development. It usually results from the differences in size between a teen’s jaw and their teeth. Larger teeth come in, but the jaw is too small to accommodate them. This is a condition that can be determined by genetics. Professionals, like those at Cobbe Dental & Orthodontics, know that in some cases, this could be a normal part of tooth development and may correct itself. Often it requires orthodontic treatment.
Spaces between Teeth
This is a common problem also associated with a teen’s developing teeth not being proportionate to their jaw size. This condition can happen with their front or their back teeth. It’s also possible for this to result from a teen having abnormally shaped teeth as well as tongue thrust habits. Spacing can also occur when a teen has teeth that are missing.
It’s important for teens to understand the majority of people who have attractive smiles weren’t born with them. Many people have benefited from having braces or using a retainer. Having a good smile will help them look better as well as feel better about themselves.
