It’s not always easy to tell if your child needs braces, especially if their teeth seem mostly straight. But orthodontic issues aren’t always visible. While some signs, like crowding or large gaps, are easy to spot, others—like jaw discomfort, speech issues, or difficulty chewing—can be much more subtle. Left untreated, these problems may affect your child’s oral health and comfort over time.
Recognizing the signs early can make treatment simpler and more effective. Here are 11 common signs your child may need braces:
- Crowded or crooked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Mouth breathing or snoring
- Jaw pain or clicking sounds
- Frequent biting of the cheeks or tongue
- Bite problems (overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite)
- Speech issues
- Thumb sucking or prolonged pacifier use
- Shifting or misaligned jaw
Let’s take a closer look at each 1 and what it could mean for your child’s smile.
11 Signs Your Child Might Need Braces
1. Crowded or Crooked Teeth
1 of the most common signs your child may need braces is overcrowding. When there’s not enough space for adult teeth to come in, they may overlap, twist, or come in at odd angles.
What to look for:
- Teeth that overlap or press tightly together
- Baby teeth falling out late, leaving no room for adult teeth
- Your child struggling to floss or brush between teeth
Crowded teeth can be difficult to clean, which increases the risk of cavities and gum disease.
2. Gaps Between Teeth
While some gaps are completely normal (especially as baby teeth fall out), large or persistent spaces between teeth might require orthodontic treatment.
What to look for:
- Wide gaps between front teeth
- Uneven spacing between other teeth
- Speech issues or food getting stuck often
3. Early or Late Loss of Baby Teeth
Baby teeth are placeholders for adult teeth. If they fall out too soon or stick around too long, it can lead to misalignment or crowding.
What to look for:
- Baby teeth falling out before age 5 or staying after age 12
- Adult teeth erupting in strange positions
- Permanent teeth coming in before baby teeth fall out
4. Difficulty Biting or Chewing
If your child has trouble chewing or avoids certain foods, it might be due to bite misalignment.
What to look for:
- Complaints of jaw discomfort when eating
- Chewing on only 1 side
- Avoiding harder foods like apples or carrots
5. Mouth Breathing or Snoring
Chronic mouth breathing can affect facial development and contribute to orthodontic issues like an open bite.
What to look for:
- Sleeping with an open mouth
- Snoring or noisy breathing during sleep
- Dry mouth or bad breath in the morning
6. Jaw Pain or Clicking
A clicking jaw can be a sign that your child’s bite is misaligned. This may lead to jaw strain and discomfort over time.
What to look for:
- Clicking or popping when opening or closing the mouth
- Jaw pain, especially when chewing
- Trouble moving the jaw side to side
7. Frequent Cheek or Tongue Biting
If your child regularly bites the inside of their cheeks or tongue, their bite may be off.
What to look for:
- Accidental bites while eating or speaking
- Sores or irritation in the cheeks or tongue
- Speech issues caused by limited tongue movement
8. Bite Problems (Overbite, Underbite, Crossbite, Open Bite)
When the upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly, it can cause issues with chewing, speaking, and jaw development.
What to look for:
- Upper teeth covering too much of the lower teeth (overbite)
- Lower teeth sitting in front of the upper teeth (underbite)
- Teeth not aligning side to side (crossbite)
- A gap between upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed (open bite)
9. Speech Difficulties
Teeth affect how your child forms certain sounds. Misaligned teeth can cause lisps or unclear pronunciation.
What to look for:
- Trouble pronouncing “s,” “th,” or “sh” sounds
- Ongoing lisp or unclear speech
- Recommendations from a speech therapist for an orthodontic assessment
10. Thumb Sucking or Pacifier Use After Age 3
Thumb sucking or pacifier use beyond early childhood can affect jaw growth and tooth position.
What to look for:
- Thumb or pacifier habits past age 3–4
- Protruding front teeth or an open bite
- Gaps forming between the front teeth
11. Shifting Jaw or Asymmetrical Face
A jaw that shifts or looks uneven when your child opens and closes their mouth may signal a more serious bite issue.
What to look for:
- Jaw shifting to 1 side
- Uneven smile or facial asymmetry
- Clicking or popping in the jaw joint
Even if You Don’t See a Problem, Get a Checkup
Orthodontic issues aren’t always visible. Your child may not feel any pain or discomfort now, but small problems can grow into bigger ones if left untreated. With a quick checkup, we can spot early signs of trouble and help guide your child’s dental development.
When Should Your Child Get Orthodontic Treatment?
Most experts recommend that children are evaluated for orthodontics by age 7—even if their teeth appear straight. At this age, a mix of baby and adult teeth allows dental professionals to evaluate how their mouth is developing and spot problems early.
Early care doesn’t always mean immediate treatment. In many cases, your child’s dentist may simply monitor growth and start treatment when it’s most effective.
Book an Orthodontic Evaluation at Shawnessy Dental Centre
If you’ve noticed any of the signs above—or just want peace of mind—an orthodontic checkup is a smart next step. At Shawnessy Dental Centre in Calgary, we offer personalized orthodontic assessments to help you understand your child’s needs and plan for a healthy smile.
Ready to get started? Contact us today to schedule your child’s orthodontic consultation and let our friendly team guide you every step of the way.
