Orthodontic tips.
Watch for chronic mouth-breathing.
Constant breathing through the mouth can cause the face and jaw area to become elongated. Check these four steps to see if your child has possible breathing problems:

• Watch to see if your child breathes through his mouth.

• Check to make sure there is no excessive overlap of upper front teeth over lower front teeth.

• Look at your child’s bite. In a normal bite, all the upper teeth rest slightly over the lower teeth when the jaw is closed.

• See if the tongue comes between the teeth when your child swallows.

See us by age 7.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be seen by age 7 to help ensure a lifetime of healthy smiles. Some early warning signs that may indicate your child needs orthodontic care include:

• Buckteeth • Crowded teeth • A sideways bite
• Teeth coming in the wrong place • Breathing through mouth
• Thumb- or finger-sucking • Tongue-thrusting
• Difficulty chewing • Congenitally missing teeth • Spaces between teeth