11 Signs Your Child Might Need Braces
07 Mar 2025
Some signs that your child may need braces are easy to spot, such as crooked or crowded teeth. Others can be less obvious, including difficulty biting or chewing, unusual spacing, bite problems, or permanent teeth that don’t seem to be coming in properly.
Noticing one of these signs doesn’t automatically mean your child needs braces. However, it may be a good reason to schedule an orthodontic assessment so an orthodontist can evaluate how your child’s teeth, bite, and jaws are developing.
Here are 11 signs parents can watch for at home.
1. Crowded or Overlapping Teeth
Crowding happens when there isn’t enough space for teeth to come in or sit comfortably. You may notice teeth overlapping, appearing twisted, or erupting in front of or behind other teeth.
An orthodontist can assess how much space is available and whether your child’s tooth alignment may benefit from orthodontic treatment.
2. Crooked Teeth
Teeth that appear noticeably crooked or out of alignment are one of the most recognizable reasons parents consider braces for their children.
However, appearance is only part of the picture. An orthodontist will also look at how the teeth fit together and whether their position could affect your child’s bite or oral health before recommending treatment.
3. Large or Unusual Gaps Between Teeth
Some spacing between children’s teeth can be a normal part of dental development, especially as baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth. However, large or persistent gaps may be worth having assessed.
An orthodontist can determine whether the spacing is likely to change naturally as your child’s teeth develop or whether orthodontic treatment may be beneficial.
4. A Noticeable Overbite
An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth. Some overlap is normal, but a more pronounced overbite may be a reason to have your child’s bite evaluated.
An orthodontist can assess the relationship between the upper and lower teeth and determine whether treatment is recommended.
5. An Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when your child closes their mouth.
Because an underbite involves the relationship between the upper and lower teeth and may also involve jaw development, it should be assessed by an orthodontist to determine whether treatment is needed and when it should begin.
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6. A Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when your child bites down. It can affect the front teeth, back teeth, or both.
A crossbite may not always be obvious when your child smiles, so an orthodontic assessment can help identify how the upper and lower teeth are fitting together.
7. Difficulty Biting or Chewing
If your child regularly has difficulty biting into food or chewing comfortably, their teeth or bite may not be coming together as expected.
Difficulty chewing doesn’t necessarily mean braces are required, but persistent problems are worth discussing with a dentist or orthodontist so the underlying cause can be evaluated.
8.Baby Teeth Are Lost Very Early or Late
Children lose their baby teeth at different rates, so some variation is normal. However, baby teeth that are lost unusually early or remain much longer than expected can sometimes affect how permanent teeth develop and erupt.
An orthodontist can evaluate your child’s tooth development and determine whether monitoring or treatment may be appropriate.
9. Permanent Teeth Appear to Be Coming In Out of Position
As permanent teeth erupt, you may notice a tooth coming in at an unusual angle, behind another tooth, or in a position that appears different from the surrounding teeth.
This doesn’t always mean your child will need braces, but an orthodontist can assess whether there is enough space for the permanent teeth and how their alignment is developing.
10.The Jaws Appear Uneven or Shift When Biting
Watch how your child’s jaws come together when they close their mouth. If the jaw appears noticeably uneven or seems to shift to one side when biting, it may be worth having their bite evaluated.
An orthodontist can assess how the upper and lower jaws and teeth relate to one another and determine whether orthodontic treatment should be considered.
11.Their Teeth Don’t Meet Comfortably When They Close Their Mouth
If your child has trouble bringing their teeth together comfortably, or some teeth don’t appear to meet when they bite down, there may be an alignment or bite issue.
Because bite problems aren’t always obvious from looking at a child’s smile, an orthodontic assessment can provide a more complete picture of how the teeth fit together.
Recognize Some of These Signs?
Find out if your child needs braces and when to start.
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Does One of These Signs Mean My Child Definitely Needs Braces?
No. Seeing one or more of these signs doesn’t automatically mean your child needs braces.
Children’s teeth and jaws change significantly as they grow, and some concerns may simply need to be monitored. Others may benefit from orthodontic treatment now or at a later stage.
The best way to know is through an orthodontic assessment. An orthodontist can evaluate your child’s teeth, bite, tooth development, and jaw growth before recommending whether treatment is necessary.
Learn more about how an orthodontist determines whether your child needs braces.
When Should You Have Your Child’s Teeth Checked?
Children should generally have an initial orthodontic evaluation around age 7. At this stage, an orthodontist can evaluate how the permanent teeth and jaws are developing, even if your child doesn’t need braces yet.
You don’t need to wait until a specific age if you notice something concerning about your child’s teeth or bite. An earlier assessment may be appropriate if your dentist recommends one or you notice a significant change in how your child’s teeth or jaws are developing.
Learn more about when to take your child to the orthodontist.
What Should You Do If You Notice Signs Your Child May Need Braces?
If you’ve noticed crowded or crooked teeth, unusual spacing, bite problems, difficulty chewing, or another change in your child’s teeth or jaws, the next step is an orthodontic assessment.
An orthodontist can determine whether your child needs treatment, whether it’s the right time to begin, or whether their development should simply be monitored.
Kids Dental Group provides orthodontic care for children and teens, including braces and other treatment options based on each patient’s individual needs.
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