Orthodontic info
What causes orthodontic problems in children?
Most orthodontic problems are inherited, according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), and others are acquired over time through causes such as thumb sucking, mouth breathing, early or late loss of baby teeth and accidents.
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Inherited causes and acquired causes
The AAO’s consumer FAQ says “Most orthodontic problems are inherited.” An AAO post from October 2026 puts it as “Some orthodontic problems are inherited.” The AAO glossary gives a genetic example, congenitally missing teeth: “A genetic occurrence in which permanent teeth do not develop.” Extra teeth are a separate case: the glossary says they “can also interfere with the normal pattern of tooth eruption and contribute to an orthodontic problem.” Carvalho & Roth Orthodontics adds a point about size on its common bite problems page: teeth too small for the space in the jaw commonly leave gaps, and teeth that are too big can crowd.
Acquired problems develop over time. The AAO names sucking the thumb or fingers, mouth breathing, dental disease, abnormal swallowing, poor dental hygiene, early or late loss of baby teeth, accidents and poor nutrition. A child can have both kinds at once: the AAO says “Sometimes an inherited orthodontic problem is complicated by an acquired problem.”
Which causes an early exam can act on
An early exam looks at what a cause has already done to the teeth, bite and jaws. The AAO says some patients “may require tooth movement only, while others may need help with guiding the growth of their jaws, or to correct a sucking habit or abnormal swallowing pattern that can reshape the bone.”
For a stubborn baby tooth, the AAO says early treatment could consist of its removal “so that the succeeding permanent tooth can arrive in its proper place.” When a baby tooth is lost too soon, the AAO glossary describes a fixed appliance “used to hold space for an unerupted permanent tooth” called a space maintainer. Carvalho & Roth Orthodontics names space maintainers among the tools early treatment may include on its early orthodontic treatment page.
Noticing, not diagnosing
A parent’s part at home is noticing, not diagnosing: the AAO says “You do not need to diagnose an orthodontic problem yourself.” Because the AAO says most orthodontic problems are inherited, a family history of braces, missing teeth or crowding is worth bringing to the exam. The practice’s first-visit page also asks a parent to recall the child’s dental history.
Mouth breathing is on the AAO’s list of acquired causes, and the AAO also counts it among the warning signs for a growing child; the practice’s airway orthodontics page takes up mouth breathing and the airway. When a sucking habit starts to affect the teeth is answered on thumb sucking, pacifiers and the bite. What early tooth loss means is the subject of baby teeth lost early, and dental disease and poor dental hygiene on the AAO’s list make the child’s regular dental care part of the orthodontic picture.
When to have a child’s teeth checked
In an FAQ entry posted in October 2026, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child’s first orthodontic check-up “when a problem is first recognized, and no later than age 7.” A parent can contact an orthodontist directly: the AAO says you do not have to wait for a referral, and Carvalho & Roth Orthodontics states that “No referral is needed to schedule a consultation.”
An injury to the mouth is different. For an emergency such as heavy bleeding, difficulty breathing or swallowing or a suspected broken jaw, the AAO says to “Seek emergency care immediately (call 911 or go to an emergency room or urgent dental clinic).” The practice’s orthodontic emergency page counts trauma that includes injury to the mouth or face as a true emergency and says “In an actual emergency, you need to contact your dentist or orthodontist right away.” For everything else, the first consultation includes an initial examination with digital photos and X-rays.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
If orthodontic problems run in our family, will my child have one too?
Possibly, since the AAO says most orthodontic problems are inherited, but a family history cannot tell you what your child’s teeth and jaws are doing. Mention the family history at the exam, where the orthodontist evaluates the child’s own teeth, bite and jaws.
How can swallowing affect a child’s teeth?
Through the tongue: when it pushes against the teeth during swallowing, a habit the AAO glossary calls tongue thrust, the glossary says that force “can move the teeth and bone and may lead to an anterior or posterior open bite.” The AAO lists abnormal swallowing among the acquired causes.
What do orthodontists call a bite problem?
Orthodontists call teeth that do not fit together properly a malocclusion, and the AAO glossary notes that the word is Latin for “bad bite.”
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