Early Warning Signs of Orthodontic Problems

Some orthodontic problems may be easier to correct if treated early. Waiting until all the permanent teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult. But…children and adults can both benefit from orthodontics, because healthy teeth can be moved at almost any age.

It is not unusual to begin orthodontic intervention if one or more of the following early warning signs is seen:

Difficulty in chewing or biting

Chronic mouth breathing

Finger sucking or other oral habits that continue after 6 years of age

Top front teeth that protrude

Top front teeth cover more than 25% of the bottom teeth when biting

Top front teeth go behind the bottom teeth when biting

A space exists between top and bottom front teeth when biting

Crowded, overlapped, misplaced teeth or extra teeth

Teeth meet abnormally or don't meet at all

Center of top and bottom teeth don't line up

Teeth wearing unevenly

Baby teeth falling out too early

Jaw joints that click or are painful

Jaws that shift off center when biting

Speech difficulty

Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth often

Weak chin or a prominent chin

Facial imbalance

Jaws that protrude or recede

Grinding or clenching of the teeth

Embarrassing teeth or smile often hidden by hands

If you or your child has one or more of these early warning signs of orthodontic problems, see Dr. Prehn. The sooner you receive orthodontic intervention for these alignment problems, the sooner you can light up a room with your smile!