Just because your child’s baby teeth appear to be growing in straight doesn't necessarily mean their adult teeth will. At the end of the day, there are a number of factors that influence tooth alignment as the jaw is developing. Thankfully, many of the culprits that contribute to misaligned teeth are preventable. If your child has any of these habits, for example, helping him or her to stop will reduce the risk of developing a crooked smile. 

3 Habits That Can Affect Tooth Alignment

1. Thumb Sucking

It’s perfectly natural for babies and even toddlers to suck their thumbs to soothe themselves. Prolonged thumb sucking, though, can affect the alignment of baby teeth and, subsequently, the adult teeth that erupt after them. It can also affect the development of the jaw. If your child continues thumb sucking beyond the age of four, ask the pediatrician for strategies on coaxing him or her to stop.

2. Mouth Breathing 

When their nasal cavity is obstructed, children are forced to breathe through their mouth. While breathing through the nose produces gentle force that expands the upper jaw and maxilla over time, breathing through the mouth doesn't. As such, consistent mouth breathing can prevent the roof of the mouth from developing properly and eventually cause overcrowding. If your child has asthma, allergies, or sinus issues that affect breathing, follow the pediatrician’s advice for managing them. 

3. Teeth Grinding 

Severe cases of bruxism, or teeth grinding, can force the baby teeth to shift, thereby changing your child’s bite. Since your child may not even know they're grinding their teeth, it's up to you to identify the issue. For example, they might only do so while they sleep. If the problem is severe, though, their pediatric dentist may diagnose it because bruxism wears down the teeth. 

If you’re concerned about your child’s tooth alignment, turn to Pedodontic Associates Inc. Comprised of the best pediatric dentists in Hawaii, this practice has been in business for more than 25 years. Their friendly providers know how to put even the fussiest patients at ease while caring for their baby teeth. To learn more about the services they provide, visit their website. To make an appointment, call one of their locations: (808) 735-1733 for Honolulu, (808) 487-7933 for Aiea, or (808) 877-0066 for Kahului.