worried about daughters teeth.

[bockster]

hi there,
some, especially 1, of daughters teeth are coming through twisted and obviously i want her to have great teeth (not like my graveyard). problem is each time we visit the dentist he keeps saying that the jaw is still growing and we have to give them time to right themselves.
this may be right and we just have to be patient. but i worry the longer we leave it, one is getting worse not better, the more difficult it will be to straighten them later.
would welcome your opinions, should we go to another dentist? at what age do dentists generally consider action on crooked teeth?
i missed out on a brace and good teeth, don't want the same for her.

cheers.

[alison999]

how old is your daughter? if she still has baby teeth a orthodontist probably wouldnt do anything til these have been removed anyway

[bockster]

doooh, missed that vital bit....7 years old.

[sweetnskint]

usually only give braces when all teeth through-wouldnt worry they can be corrected, you would need to be refered to orthodontist though.prob wait until 12ish.maybe get second opinion if would feel better and stop you worrying.probably for the best!

[Toothsmith]

Your dentist is right.

This phase in the text books is called "The Ugly Duckling Phase".

teeth come through full size, so her teeth are the same size as your teeth, but in a much smaller mouth! They are going to look all over the place.

There are some countries where orthodontic treatment starts much younger - sometimes as young as 8, but it always goes on until the child is 15-16. You end up with a child that is very pigged off with dental treatment!!

In this country, we tend to wait until all the growth and development is over, and then fix things. So it starts at about 13 and treatment is over at 15-16. A much better way to do it!!

Personally, I think the countries that do it sooner have dentists that are just pandering to the parents fears that 'something must be done' - and having 7-8 years worth of fees from the parents buys a lot more boy's toys than just 2 years of fees!!!

[Savvy_Sue]

Another thing I believe TS has said elsewhere is that you need the child's active consent: if they don't WANT this done, they won't look after their mouths, and it will all go pear-shaped.

Another thing to say is that if you can avoid passing on your 'issues' about your teeth to your daughter, that will help her. I'm sure your teeth look worse to you than they do to anyone else.

Not to mention the fact that it's never too late! Adults get braces too ...

[alison999]

Another thing to say is that if you can avoid passing on your 'issues' about your teeth to your daughter, that will help her. I'm sure your teeth look worse to you than they do to anyone else. .


completely agree :beer:

[Milford_Cubicle]

Don't worry - my daughter is having similar issues, she's 7 too.
She had to have three baby teeth removed because they were refusing to come out on their own! The bottom four at the front are currently nowhere near straight due to the baby teeth having not come out prior to the big teeth coming through.
The dentist has said he'll see how she goes, it's 50/50 as to whether they straighten on their own or she'll need a brace. Probably have more of an idea when she's around 10.

[moneypooh]

My DS had very crooked teeth and regularly saw the orthodontist at our local hospital as his upper jaw was slightly twisted. He was followed from age 4 as he developed a slight lisp. However he is now 11 and his teeth have started to straighten and although in no way near perfect they are looking better. He has lost his lisp and his jaw is developing normally (thank goodness).
So give it time, things do change as they grow. My DS will still probably need braces to sort out the wiggles but he's OK with that. His dentist said he'd look at it when he's about 14 as he still has some growing to do and the odd 'baby' tooth left to lose.