Ten Surprising Ways Extra Teeth Can Impact Your Child’s Beautiful Smile
Extra teeth can impact your child’s smile.
Did you know that some people are born with extra teeth? It’s a dental phenomenon called supernumerary teeth, and it is actually more common than people think. Also known as hyperdontia, people may have one extra tooth or multiple extra teeth, and they can appear anywhere in the mouth.
Most of the time, extra teeth require no dental intervention, but your dentist may recommend removal of the additional teeth if they are affecting your overall dental health. At Must Love Kids Pediatric Dental in Vancouver, Washington, our team is ready to help you and your child navigate how to deal with extra teeth, if needed. Read more to learn surprising impacts of having additional teeth.
1. Crowding
Extra teeth can cause crowding in the mouth, which can cause teeth to come in at strange angles, or not come in at all. If your child’s surplus teeth are crowding out others, your dentist may recommend that the extra teeth be extracted.
2. Delayed Eruption
If your child’s extra teeth are in the way of other teeth, that can stop those permanent teeth from emerging on time. This can cause the other teeth in your child’s mouth to crowd or move to try to make room for the permanent teeth to come through. If your child needs to have their teeth moved or shifted, they could be a candidate for orthodontics. At Must Love Kids, Dr. Mo has specialized training that allows her to practice orthodontics, meaning your child won’t have to visit two different doctors for their dental care.
3. Misalignment
Extra teeth can cause your child’s other teeth to move out of alignment. Misalignment of teeth can affect your child’s bite, among other things. The good news is an orthodontic treatment can help align your child’s teeth and move the teeth back into the places they belong.
4. Speech Issues
If your child’s teeth are out of alignment because of extra teeth, they are at risk of speech issues. These surplus teeth can lead to alignment problems, which can affect how your child pronounces some of their words. If you notice your child is having speech difficulties due to their additional teeth, schedule a consultation with Must Love Kids to start on a course of treatment to address this concern.
5. Feeding Difficulties
Extra teeth can cause problems with eating and chewing. Extra teeth can cause your child’s teeth to move out of alignment, making it difficult for your child to bite into food correctly, and can even lead to difficulties with chewing.
6. Increased Risk of Cavities
If your child has additional teeth that cause crowding in their mouth, they could be at a higher risk for cavities. If teeth are crowded, there is more of a risk of food getting trapped between teeth. In some of those hard to clean areas, plaque can develop, which puts your child at risk for cavities and tooth decay. If your child is having trouble brushing their teeth because of their extra teeth being in the way, speak with your dentist about a remedy to fix their issues.
7. Jaw Discomfort
If your child is feeling some discomfort in their jaw, extra teeth may be to blame. Misaligned teeth can lead to an uneven bite, which changes the pressure that is put on the jaw. This can lead to your child feeling pain when they bite and chew. If this is an issue your child faces, get them in to see Dr. Mo as soon as possible.
8. Appearance Concerns
Misaligned and extra teeth can erupt in odd spots, which can affect the appearance of your child’s smile. Some people may be self-conscious of this, and want to perfect their smile. If that is the case, orthodontic treatment could be an option for your child.
9. Orthodontic Complications
Extra teeth can make future orthodontic treatment complicated. They may not allow for your child’s teeth to line up correctly, and slowly shifting those teeth back into their proper place can take time. If you are concerned about your child’s additional teeth, talk to your dentist about what options are available.
10. Self-Confidence
Children often don’t like when something is different about them, so if your child’s extra teeth are causing them to have an unusual or unique smile, they may want to address that situation.
Visit Must Love Kids for a consultation.
Must Love Kids Pediatric Dentistry in Vancouver is here to keep your child’s smile healthy and provide them with confidence when they smile. If your child has extra teeth, make sure they come into our office for a consultation before their extra teeth cause problems. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
