If My Child’s Baby Teeth Are Crooked, Will Their Adult Teeth Be Crooked Too?

Your child’s baby teeth, known in the dental world as their primary dentition, have come in…and they’re crooked! Does this mean that their adult teeth will be crooked too?

Not necessarily. It depends on what caused the misalignment (s) in your child’s primary dentition. As children grow and develop, if there is not enough room for the adult dentition then teeth can crowd as they erupt.  It is important that there be room for all 32 teeth, so as children grow providing optimal conditions for this to happen is imperative not only for “straight teeth” but also proper development and function.  That is something that will probably reoccur with adult teeth…but once corrected, alignment can be maintained.

However, many young children suck their thumbs or thrust their tongue against their teeth, which can malformation of the arch and primary dentition. If this is the case, then simple habit appliances can be used to aid in the behavior modification.

Talk to your dentist about your concerns. He or she can help you understand what is causing the condition…and If it’s a result of thumb sucking or tongue thrusting, your dentist can offer a custom-made oral appliance to help your child kick the bad habit and grow into a straight, beautiful adult smile.