What Increases Your Risk

Things that increase the risk of developing malocclusion include:

• A family history of malocclusion. Jaw and tooth size are inherited traits that can cause too much or too little room for the teeth.
• Oral habits, such as thumb-sucking and possibly mouth breathing.
• Tooth loss, due to trauma or tooth decay. After a tooth is knocked out or removed (extracted), the bordering teeth drift out of place. Major causes of childhood tooth loss include:
  • Playing sports without a mouth guard.
  • Using poor dental hygiene.
  • Stumbling or falling accidents.
  • Sucking on a baby bottle during sleep. The sugars in juice, milk, and formula can cause tooth decay.

When To Call a Doctor

• Call your dentist or orthodontist immediately for a dental emergency, such as the loss of a tooth or if a broken orthodontic device (appliance) prevents you from opening or closing your mouth. For more information, see the topic Mouth and Dental Injuries.
• Call for an appointment with your orthodontist or dentist if nonprescription pain relievers don't ease appliance-related pain or if your appliance has loose brackets or bands, distorted wires, or wires that are too long and irritate the inside of your cheeks.

Start your child's dental visits at a young age, both to help your child become familiar with a dentist and to watch for any early dental or malocclusion problems. Keep up with regular dental checkups (twice a year). For more information, see the topic Basic Dental Care.

Watchful Waiting

Watchful waiting is when you and your doctor watch symptoms to see if a health condition improves on its own. If it does, no treatment is necessary. If symptoms don't get better or get worse, then it's time to take the next treatment step.

Watchful waiting is often fine for children with malocclusion. Keep in mind that the early years, when the jawbone is still growing, are the best time for braces. Some people wait until they are adults before straightening their teeth. After you talk with a dentist or orthodontist about your or your child's situation, it's usually up to you to decide the timing of treatment.

Who To See

A general dentist or a pediatric (children's) dentist can give dental care, a first checkup for orthodontic treatment, and simple orthodontic corrections.

Dentists who have 2 years or more of extra training in a specific area treat more complex dental problems. Dental specialists who treat different aspects of malocclusion are:

• Orthodontists, who straighten teeth.
• Prosthodontists, who replace missing teeth.
• Periodontists, who treat or prevent gum (periodontal) disease.
• Oral surgeons (maxillofacial surgeons), who surgically treat structural problems of the jaw, face, head, or neck.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.