What is malocclusion? How can children prevent it?

What is a misshapen deformity?

During the growth and development of children, the deformities of teeth, jaws, and faces caused by genetic and acquired factors are called malocclusion, also known as "tooth and jaw deformity", which is also commonly referred to as "crooked teeth". The manifestations of malocclusion include: tooth misalignment, tooth protrusion, tooth crowding, tooth gap, maxillary protrusion (protruding teeth), mandibular protrusion (underbite), mandibular retraction, posterior crossbite, lockjaw, anterior open bite, etc.

What are the dangers of crooked teeth?

There are certain harms caused by uneven teeth, which can be divided into three main aspects:

1. Susceptible to dental caries

The teeth are crowded and overlapping, and are difficult to brush clean. Food debris accumulates in the gaps between teeth, creating a breeding ground for bacteria, making tooth decay more likely to occur.

2. Affects chewing and pronunciation

If the teeth are not aligned or the bite is not normal, the chewing function is low, and the food enters the gastrointestinal tract without being fully ground, which affects digestion and absorption, and can easily cause malnutrition and affect the health of children. In addition, if the teeth are not aligned and there is a gap between the upper and lower teeth, the pronunciation will be affected.

3. Affects appearance

Some children have protruding front teeth, which makes them look like "open lips and exposed teeth"; some children have protruding lower jaws, which makes them look like "sunken mouths". Misaligned teeth not only affect the appearance, but also bring psychological and mental burdens to children.

At what age is it appropriate to correct malocclusion?

Dentists say that if parents find signs of malocclusion in their children, they should take their children to see a dentist as soon as possible and let the dentist provide professional treatment plans.

At what age should malocclusion be treated? This question should be determined on a case-by-case basis. Generally speaking, early treatment will have less impact on the facial bones.

● During the period of primary teeth (3-6 years old) and replacement teeth (7-12 years old), if some teeth are crooked, no correction is needed, but you should go to the hospital for a check-up and correct bad oral habits.

● The permanent tooth period (12-15 years old) is the best period for orthodontic treatment as the deciduous teeth have all fallen out and the permanent teeth have grown out. During this period, the teeth and jaws develop very quickly and the bones are plastic, so malocclusion can be easily corrected.

What should children pay attention to when wearing braces

1. Adequate mental preparation

Correcting malocclusion usually takes a long time (1-2 years), so you must work closely with your doctor and not give up halfway.

2. Keep your mouth clean

Rinse your mouth and brush your teeth after eating. Use special dental floss and toothbrush for orthodontics. If conditions permit, you can also use electric toothbrushes, water flossers, interdental brushes and other professional tools to help clean the tooth surface. If you wear removable braces, you should use a "V" shaped toothbrush to brush your teeth. Brush slowly, which can not only clean your teeth and braces, but also avoid damaging the accessories of the braces.

3. Do a good job in dental health management and hygiene control

For children with poor dental hygiene, it is recommended to do dental health management and hygiene control first. With the help of doctors and parents, children can develop the awareness of loving to brush their teeth and take care of their teeth.

For teeth that have already been demineralized or decayed, resin can be infiltrated to promote remineralization or decayed fillings can be performed in pediatric dentistry. Children at high risk of caries need regular fluoride application and follow-up every 3 to 6 months.

4. Follow-up visits on time

If you find that the braces are damaged, lost, or have any discomfort, you should go to the hospital for a follow-up visit in time so that you can receive timely treatment and correction from the doctor.

Principles of prevention of malocclusion

Malocclusion can be prevented early in many cases, and the prevention principles should be as follows:

1. Prevention during the fetal period

Pay attention to maternal nutrition during pregnancy, maintain good health, and ensure the normal development of the fetus.

2. Prevention during infancy

Breastfeeding is encouraged. When feeding with milk, attention should be paid to the baby's posture and the position of the bottle. The various nutrients in the diet should be sufficient and balanced. Eating more fiber-rich, rough and chewy foods will help the development of the teeth and jaws.

3. Eliminate bad oral habits as soon as possible

It is crucial for parents to correct children's bad oral habits in time. What bad oral habits do children have? How to correct them? Please see the sharing in the previous issue: These eight bad oral habits lead to children's tooth deformities, and it is crucial to correct them in time.

4. Regular dental check-ups

Fill caries in time; wear a "gap maintainer" in time for premature loss of deciduous teeth; extract the permanent teeth that have erupted but the deciduous teeth have not fallen out as soon as possible; deal with supernumerary teeth and low lip frenulum as soon as possible. Regular check-ups (every six months) and timely treatment are important measures to prevent malocclusion.