How Crooked Teeth Can Affect Your Child

You only ever want the best for your child, you want them to grow up healthy, confident and happy. But what if something was holding them back from achieving this? What if that one thing was crooked teeth?

Crooked teeth can negatively impact a child’s self esteem. 

But before we get into how crooked teeth can impact your child’s self esteem, what causes crooked teeth in the first place?

Crooked teeth can happen for a number of reasons but the most common one is genetics. If you or your partner has ever had braces or another form of orthodontic treatment, chances are your child will have a higher risk of the same type of orthodontic issue. 

Other reasons can include: 

• Prolonged use of pacifiers 
• Prolonged thumb-sucking 
• Injury to the mouth 

How can crooked teeth affect your child?

There are many ways crooked teeth can affect your child, some are psychological while other are physical, so let’s break this one into sections. 

Psychological Effects

Children are eager beavers, one of the benefits of being a child is learning. If your child has crooked teeth, they may be more self-conscious to ask questions, interact or even speak because of the appearance of their teeth. Research has shown that children who are not happy with the look of their teeth will refrain from smiling and can be withdrawn from their peers as well. 

Research shows that improving a physical trait can improve an individual’s social interactions, attitude and self esteem.  When you correct your child’s smile, you help protect their confidence when it comes to interacting, socializing and having the confidence to do it all. 

Physical Effects

Needless to say, there are big benefits to straighter teeth when it comes down to it physically. Straight teeth are easier to clean because there are less nooks and crannies for plaque and bacteria to hide and build up in. 

If your child has crooked teeth, it can also be more difficult to learn how to properly brush and floss your teeth. Not knowing how to maintain a good oral hygiene can lead to an increase in cavities, tooth decay and more dental issues. 

Now that you have the skinny, what now?

The first step is to bring your child into an orthodontic’s office, no referral necessary! It is recommended to bring your child in by no later than age 7 according to the Canadian Orthodontic Association. 

Booking your free consultation is easy, ensuring your child grows up healthy, happy and confident. Begin the journey today!