6 Signs Your Child Might Need Braces

If you have ever watched your child eat and thought something looked off — teeth overlapping, chewing on one side, a jaw that seems to shift — you are not alone. It is one of the most common concerns parents raise when they visit us at Claremont Orthodontics. The worry is natural, and so is the uncertainty.

Most orthodontic issues are not emergencies. But some are easier to address when a child is still growing. Here are six signs worth paying attention to at home — not so you can diagnose the problem yourself, but so you know when a professional opinion is worthwhile.

Crowded or overlapping teeth

This is often the first thing parents notice. Permanent teeth come through and there does not seem to be enough room — they overlap, twist, or sit at odd angles.

Some crowding in baby teeth can be normal. But when permanent teeth erupt into a jaw that is too small, the crowding tends to get worse over time, not better. Beyond appearance, overlapping teeth are harder to keep clean. Flossing becomes difficult for a child still developing their coordination, and plaque builds up where a toothbrush cannot reach.

If your child’s permanent front teeth are coming through crowded or rotated, it is worth having an orthodontist assess whether the jaw has enough space for the remaining teeth still to come.

Early or late loss of baby teeth

Baby teeth generally fall out in a predictable sequence between the ages of 6 and 12. When they are lost significantly earlier or later than expected, it can affect how permanent teeth come through.

A baby tooth lost too early — from decay, trauma, or infection — leaves a gap. Neighbouring teeth drift into the space, and the permanent tooth may come through crooked, get stuck, or erupt in the wrong position. Teeth that hang on well past their expected time may be blocking permanent teeth from erupting.

Parents across Claremont, Cottesloe, Nedlands, and Dalkeith sometimes assume this is just normal variation. Often it is. But when the timing is noticeably off — especially if multiple teeth are affected — an orthodontic assessment can identify whether a problem is developing beneath the surface.

Difficulty biting or chewing

Children are not always good at describing discomfort — particularly when they have never known anything different. A child whose bite is misaligned may not tell you something feels wrong. They simply adapt.

What parents tend to notice is how their child eats: chewing on one side consistently, avoiding foods that require a strong bite, taking longer than expected to finish meals, or biting their cheek or tongue frequently.

These can all be signs that the upper and lower teeth are not meeting properly. A healthy bite distributes chewing force evenly — when it is off, certain teeth bear more load than they should. If mealtimes consistently seem like a struggle, it is worth mentioning to your dentist or orthodontist.

Mouth breathing

Chronic mouth breathing in children can be both a symptom and a cause of orthodontic problems. Children who routinely breathe through their mouth often have a narrow upper jaw that restricts nasal airflow. The tongue rests low rather than against the palate, so it does not provide the natural pressure that helps the upper jaw develop fully.

Parents often notice it at night: the child sleeps with their mouth open, may snore, and wakes looking tired. Over time, this pattern can affect facial growth.

Mouth breathing can have multiple causes, including enlarged tonsils or adenoids, allergies, or nasal obstruction. An orthodontic assessment can determine whether the jaw is contributing. If the upper jaw is narrow, early treatment with a palatal expander can widen the arch — but the underlying cause should also be investigated by your GP or an ENT specialist.

Thumb or finger sucking past age five

Most children stop sucking their thumb or fingers naturally between the ages of 3 and 5. When the habit persists beyond age 5 — particularly once the permanent front teeth start erupting around age 6 — it places sustained pressure on the teeth and developing jaw.

Common changes include:

• Open bite — the front teeth do not overlap when the back teeth are together
• Protruding upper front teeth — the top incisors are pushed forward and flare outward
• Narrow upper arch — the cheek muscles press inward during sucking, constricting the palate

These changes can affect biting, chewing, and speech. If your child is still sucking their thumb past age 5 and you can see changes in their teeth or bite, an orthodontic assessment is sensible. Once the habit stops, some changes may begin to self-correct — but if the habit has been prolonged, the bite changes may need orthodontic intervention.

A visible bite problem

Some bite issues are subtle and only detectable with X-rays. Others are visible to parents without any dental training.

Crossbite is one of the more important ones to catch early. Ask your child to bite down and look from the front — the upper teeth should sit slightly outside the lowers. If they sit inside on one or both sides, that is a crossbite. You may also notice the jaw shifting to one side. Left unaddressed, this can lead to asymmetric jaw growth while the face is still developing.

Underbite — where the lower front teeth sit in front of the uppers — is usually noticeable from a young age and can indicate the lower jaw is growing ahead of the upper.

Protruding upper front teeth are common and easy to spot. Children with significantly protruding teeth are more susceptible to dental injuries during sport — something families with children at Christ Church Grammar, MLC, or Scotch College are understandably aware of.

Any of these patterns is worth having assessed. Your child may not need treatment immediately — but understanding the problem early gives the orthodontist more options.

What to do next

If you have noticed one or more of these signs, the most useful step is to book an orthodontic assessment. The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends children be assessed by age 7 to 8 — but if your child is older and has not yet been seen, it is not too late.

You do not need a referral from your general dentist to book, though many families are referred when their dentist spots developing issues at a check-up.

A first assessment is straightforward. We examine your child’s teeth, bite, and jaw alignment and explain what we see in plain terms. In many cases, the outcome is simple reassurance. If something does need attention, we explain what it is and what the options are — clearly and without pressure.

We have written in more detail about recommended timing in our article on when your child should first see an orthodontist. If you are interested in what early treatment involves, our children’s orthodontics page covers the approaches we use.

The important thing is not to wait until a problem becomes obvious. If something does not look quite right, trust that instinct and have it checked.

Call us on (08) 6288 7188 or book online — we are at 7/355 Stirling Highway, Claremont WA 6010.

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