Precautions To Prevent Malocclusion In Your Child
Posted on: 28 September 2016
Malocclusion refers to the incorrect positioning of the teeth when the mouth is closed. Apart from being a cosmetic issue, it can also lead to poor oral health and its dental-related problems. Although malocclusion may be inherited, there are also a few childhood habits that can cause the condition. Take the following precautions to reduce the risk of your kid developing malocclusion:
Discourage Thumb Sucking
Babies have a natural urge to suck their thumbs; it calms them. The habit is harmless as long as the child hasn't developed their permanent teeth (around age six). The child is likely to develop malocclusion if they continue to suck their thumbs after getting their permanent teeth. The more aggressive the child sucks their teeth, the more likely it is to affect their teeth. In that case, use the following measures to discourage the habit:
- Deal with the triggers; for example, if the child sucks their thumb when hungry, give them food so they can stop sucking their thumb.
- Reward the child for not sucking their thumb.
- Have a pediatric dentist talk to the child to discourage them from sucking their thumb.
Deal With Mouth Breathing
It isn't exactly clear whether mouth breathing causes malocclusion, but it's clear that the two are linked in some way. Mouth breaking is usually caused by a blockage of the airway. Some of the things that can block the airways include allergic reactions and enlarged tonsils. Apart from seeing your child breathe through the mouth, you should also suspect this problem if the child has red and swollen gums. The best way to stop mouth breathing (and possibly prevent malocclusion) is to deal with the root of the problem. For example, if the child's airway is enlarged due to allergic reactions, you should see an allergist to get it under control.
Replace Missing Teeth
Your child may also develop malocclusion if they lose a tooth and don't have it replaced. This happens because the adjacent teeth will tend to drift into the space. Tooth loss is caused by different things such as physical trauma (such as sports injuries) or dental diseases that result in the tooth being pulled out. The obvious preventive measure is to prevent tooth loss. If your child does lose their tooth, however, get it replaced as soon as possible.
If your child already has misaligned teeth, talk to their dentist, such as John C. Matunas D.D.S., PA, for the best treatment to align the teeth. The earlier you do this the higher the chances that the treatment will be successful.
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