Wednesday, January 27, 1999

Braces? Here are warning signs

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        Dentists agree that early intervention, even while a child's baby teeth are still coming in or just falling out, can help in several problem areas:

        • If the child's upper and lower jaws/molars do not meet correctly or evenly, a situation that can make chewing/biting difficult, interfere with speech and cause jaw pain.

        • A lower jaw that is extremely receded, or pulled back from the upper jaw.

        • Teeth that are unusually crowded.

        The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) also offers these warning signs:

        • Early or late loss of teeth; crowding, misplaced or blocked-out teeth.

        • Breathing through the mouth.

        • Thumb-sucking, finger-sucking or other oral habits.

        • Jaws that shift or make sounds.

        • Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth.

        • Protruding teeth or jaws.

        • Grinding or clenching of the teeth.

        Most orthodontic treatment starts when a child has lost all baby teeth, not before.

        AAO offers a free 7¹/₂-minute video, A Smile That's Good for Life, on the benefits of orthodontics; referrals to orthodontists; and a free computer imaging service that shows what you would look like after treatment with braces (send a photo).

        Information: www.aaortho.org or (800) 787-2444)

        — Sue MacDonald

Bracing for new smiles
Braces? Here are warning signs
Braces? What to consider

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