- Understanding Teeth Development in Children
- Can Teeth Naturally Straighten?
- Early Intervention and Orthodontic Assessment
Every parent wants to see their child grow healthy, celebrating every step of the way. One of the main milestones of a developing child is their teeth coming in.
But what if you notice your child’s teeth are coming in crooked? Here’s what you should expect when it comes to your child’s teeth development and what you can do about crooked teeth.
Understanding Teeth Development in Children
Before we can get into assessing whether your child’s teeth can naturally straighten, let’s see how children’s teeth develop and what genetics has to do with it.
Teeth Development Milestones
Baby teeth start coming in between 6 and 12 months. The average child has most of their primary teeth in by 33 months. Permanent teeth, also known as secondary or adult teeth, start erupting at about six years old.
What Influence Does Genetics Have on Teeth Alignment?
Teeth formation starts in the early stages of a fetus’s development, and genetics play a role in how the teeth will be shaped, sized and structured. Genes can also influence tooth alignment since they provide the blueprint for tooth development.
Growth Stages and Teeth Alignment
If a child’s teeth fall out earlier than naturally expected or they experience an injury, that can result in misaligned teeth. Certain habits could also increase a child’s risk of having crooked teeth or a jaw that is not aligned correctly. Examples would be toddlers still sucking their thumbs or using pacifiers beyond the age of 3.
Can Teeth Naturally Straighten?
It is normal for a child’s teeth to appear misaligned or to angle away from the center when they begin to develop. Once the adult teeth start coming in, that tends to naturally straighten teeth.
Children start losing baby teeth at about 5 years old and continue until around 12. You should ensure your child maintains a proper diet and oral hygiene. Encourage them to floss and brush their teeth.
If your child gets older and their teeth are still crooked, visit a professional orthodontist to have them checked out. Misaligned teeth are recommended to be treated using braces in children from 8 to 14 years old, when their head and mouth are most conducive to straightening.
Early Intervention and Orthodontic Assessment
When it comes to your child’s health, dealing with small issues can help you avoid bigger problems down the road. At Sprout Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics, we have a board-certified orthodontist who will provide the best care and attention to your child’s tooth development to improve their oral health. Contact us today to set up an orthodontic assessment and learn about how to straighten your kid’s teeth.
A Portland native, Dr. Paul went to dental school at OHSU and finished his Orthodontic Residency in Philadelphia, PA. Dr. Paul works with children and teenagers at his orthodontic practice.
