Many parents only realize that their child's teeth are growing unevenly when the permanent teeth start to appear. In fact, this condition can be prevented or minimized early on. Teeth that grow unevenly or crowded are not only an aesthetic problem, but can also affect the child's chewing function, speech, and self-confidence.
What Causes Children's Teeth to Grow Unevenly?
Some factors that can cause children's teeth to grow unevenly include:
- Bad habits from an early age
Things like thumb sucking, mouth breathing, prolonged use of pacifiers, or biting on hard objects can affect the alignment of the teeth and jaw. - Baby teeth that fall out too early or too late
Baby teeth serve as guides for permanent teeth. If baby teeth fall out prematurely, permanent teeth can grow out of alignment. - Small jaw or unbalanced jaw growth
This can cause the teeth to not have enough space to grow properly. - genetic factors
If one or both parents have an uneven jaw structure or teeth arrangement, it is likely to be passed on to the child. - Untreated dental caries (cavities)
Tooth damage, one of which is cavities, can cause teeth to shift from their proper position. So it is very necessary to immediately treat cavities so as not to cause dental problems to get worse.
What are the impacts if left untreated?
Teeth that grow unevenly can cause:
- It is difficult to clean your teeth thoroughly, which risks causing plaque and cavities
- Masticatory function problems
- Speech disorders
- Self-confidence issues in children, especially when entering school age
When Should You Start to Be Cautious?
Ideally, children should be taken to the dentist when their first tooth erupts. However, a thorough examination of the structure of the teeth and jaws can be done around the age of 6–7 years, when the first permanent teeth begin to erupt. At this stage, the doctor can detect possible irregularities and provide early treatment advice.
What are the treatment options?
Treatment for crooked teeth depends on the cause and age of the child, including:
- Regular growth monitoring by a pediatric dentist
- Use of removable orthodontic devices (such as trainers or aligners for children) if necessary
- Treatment for bad habits such as stopping thumb sucking or pacifier use
- Selective extraction of milk teeth, if there is a delay in the loss of milk teeth which inhibits the growth of permanent teeth.
What Can Parents Do at Home?
- Teach and supervise proper tooth brushing techniques.
- Limit habits such as thumb sucking or pencil biting.
- Provide nutritious and age-appropriate textured foods to support jaw and tooth growth.
- Take your child to the dentist regularly, even if there are no complaints.
The journey to maintaining a healthy smile for your little one starts at home, but it doesn't have to be done alone. With experienced medical personnel, parents can feel more at ease and their children can grow up with strong, healthy teeth. Let's take care of your child's dental health as early as possible.
Article written by drg. Farah Syarafina, Sp.KGA (Dentist Specializing in Pediatric Dentistry, EMC Pekayon Hospital).