If you recognize any of these signs or concerns in your child or yourself, it might be time to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist.

• You want a beautiful smile

• You feel a great smile will improve your self-esteem and self-confidence

• You want the best for your family

• Early or late loss of baby teeth

• Difficulty chewing or biting

• Mouth breathing

• Sucking the thumb or fingers, or other oral habits

• Crowded, misplaced or blocked-out teeth

• Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude or are recessed

• Speech difficulty

• Biting the cheek or biting into the roof of the mouth

• Protruding teeth

• Teeth that meet in an abnormal way or don't meet at all

• Facial imbalance or asymmetry (features out of proportion to the rest of the face)

• Grinding or clenching of teeth

• Inability to comfortably close lips

A variety of orthodontic “appliances” are available today, thanks to on-going research in orthodontics. Options include traditional metal braces, tooth-colored braces, braces that go behind the teeth, clear aligners and other devices, as appropriate. Check with your orthodontist about the best way to achieve your treatment goals.

Head over to the American Association of Orthodontics website to learn more.