In most cases, it is generally not serious if your child’s “baby” teeth are crooked. For the first 6 years of a child’s life, huge changes are happening in the mouth. The teeth will move and shift as the face and jaw change shape while your child grows.

When should I be concerned that something is not right with my child’s teeth?

If you are concerned and you have questions about your child’s teeth being crooked then book a consultation with an orthodontist in your area. In most cases though, you can wait until a child is around 7 years old. This is when the first permanent teeth start to appear. There are a handful of specific problems that might necessitate early intervention in order to prevent the need for more complicated treatment at a later stage. Open bites, cross bites, early loss of teeth and habits are examples of situations that may require early intervention.

Caring for your child’s teeth

It is very important that you instill good oral hygiene habits from a young age.

1. Teach your child how to use a toothbrush properly so that they clean their teeth effectively.
2. Make sure they know to brush their teeth twice a day. For young kids you will need to brush their teeth for them, but by doing so twice a day you are setting a good habit for them to follow.
3. Try to limit thumb sucking and the use of a dummy. Excessive use of either could cause orthodontic complications. Check out our guide on thumb sucking and its effect on a child’s teeth. 
4. Sugary foods and sweets in excess can accelerate tooth decay. Try to limit access to sugary treats and encourage them to brush their teeth after eating sweets and candies.
5. It can be tempting to not be too worried about the baby teeth, knowing they will be replaced by adult teeth. But the habits laid down when young will stay with the child as they mature. Kids who have healthy teeth usually grow up to be adults with healthy teeth. Furthermore, the deciduous dentition is important for maintaining space for the permanent teeth to erupt into, as well as influencing growth and development.