Orthodontic treatment can improve the appearance of the teeth and face, and allow normal speech and chewing. It is also important for the treatment of a bad bite, which can make biting or chewing difficult or even impossible, and can cause the teeth to wear down.

Crooked teeth are very hard to brush properly and if teeth are not kept clean, this can result in tooth decay, and loss of teeth. Besides, orthodontic problems can damage the gums and underlying bone structure. If the jaws are not properly positioned, pain in the jaw joints can result.

Orthodontic Residents & Faculty members Nicolas & Asp College presents a few early warning signals of orthodontic problems

• Baby teeth not falling out when they are expected to.
• Baby teeth that is lost too early because of decay.
• Top and bottom teeth not meeting properly.
• Problems with biting or chewing.
• Crooked teeth caused by crowding.
• Mouth breathing.
• Thumb and finger sucking.
• Biting the cheek, or the roof of the mouth.
• Jaws and teeth out of proportion to the rest of the face.
• Jaw growth and development problems can be identified by the age of seven.
• If it is necessary to widen or lengthen the upper or lower jaw, this can begin by the age of 10 for girls, and 12 for boys.

Why should orthodontic treatment start when the child is young?
When the jaws and teeth are still growing it is much easier to move teeth and influence the position and size of the jaw. Besides, early treatment will shorten the treatment time.

In case of thumb-sucking and abnormal swallowing patterns, treatment is more successful in the young age. Protruding front teeth are easily damaged, so the sooner they are corrected the better.

In cases where there is early loss of a baby tooth, the space left must be kept open. If left untreated, this space will close, as adjacent teeth will drift into it. The permanent tooth may then not have enough space to grow into and may become impacted. Early treatment can keep the space open and allow the permanent tooth to erupt normally.