Pic attached. Overcrowded teeth in an 8 year old

[Dentistqn]

My 8-year-old complained about having two sets of bottom teeth (which I hadn’t actually noticed before!).

I’ve got an appointment with the dentist, but it’s in a month as it’s so hard to get a local slot, and I’m guessing that at 8, my child is too young to do much about it? But I’m thinking maybe it’ll be harder to clean them etc so I’m wondering if any dentists on here that can advise?

Or has anything similar happen to anyone else?

Those are shark teeth that will move forward when there is space. Are all his bottom teeth adult teeth?

Ooh I haven’t heard that expression before!

Only the first four are adult teeth (I think )

The tongue will nudge them forward quite a bit, his jaws will also grow, too early to tell if they won’t line up. Don’t worry it all looks normal

They are his lower lateral incisors

My daughter had similar at the same age, as her jaw grew they did move a bit but she also had braces fitted when she was 12. Had the braces on for just over a year, and now has beautifully straight teeth. I think the main thing is to focus on cleaning them well for now

The very back teeth are also adult molars

Yeah, shark teeth! DS had one, it's gradually moved forward (his tongue naturally pushed it forwards when the tooth in front fell out) and it's almost in line now. The dentist said they don't do anything about them until they're older and the natural movement has settled down.

My DD has had 2. One has moved forward into the correct position. The other is still waiting for a space. Adult teeth can be a lot bigger than baby teeth so need a bit more room. No harm in getting a dentist to have a look over, but whilst he still has baby teeth to come out, nothing can be done orthodontically as far as I'm aware. Just a wait and see game

This is all super useful! Thank you! I will make sure to help him carefully clean them. I notice on the picture that the front two look a bit plaque-y - he does rush his cleaning when he can!

Would you (the adult) do any brushing of your 8 year old’s teeth? Or should I just give him better advice on it?

@Littlemissprosecco

The very back teeth are also adult molars

I didn’t realise that! That’s useful to know too!

As he grows and further teeth come out they will move and realign.

@Dentistqn

Ooh I haven’t heard that expression before!

Only the first four are adult teeth (I think )

When I say the first four, I mean the first four in this photo - the bottom four. He also has the first four top adult teeth (and the molars I just learned were adult teeth!).

As PPs said, he has lost lower a and b teeth. He has c, d and e, all deciduous teeth and lower 1s, 2s and 6s, the adult teeth. The tongue is a very strong muscle and will push the 2s forward. Whether they will line up remains to be seen. There is no point in seeing a dentist specifically for this as they don't have a crystal ball and cannot predict how straight the teeth will be. My professional view is that he is likely to have some overcrowding, looking at the space available for adult teeth. Nothing can be done for years, so it's a conversation for the future at a routine check up.

My DS has severe overcrowding with the added fun of an extra tooth which was recently removed (he was sent to hospital for it). He's in for years of treatment, there is talk of a pre-brace brace as one of his front teeth has come in sideways due to the extra tooth.

Your dentist might send you to the orthodontist initially. If yours is the same as ours then there is a massive waiting time (DS has been on it since he was 5 and we haven't seen anyone yet).

Hopefully your DS's mouth will grow and the teeth will shuffle themselves around but they might need help when he's a teenager. Hope that helps.

My 9.5 yo old had similar. They grew into place by themselves perfectly. I still brush his teeth now, and I'm so glad as they are beautiful teeth! Not jealous at all.

Ds mentioned his teeth while brushing them this evening, and I told him that I’d learned they’re called Shark Teeth (and that it’s common etc) and he was VERY happy about that term

@Whatdramain2022

As PPs said, he has lost lower a and b teeth. He has c, d and e, all deciduous teeth and lower 1s, 2s and 6s, the adult teeth. The tongue is a very strong muscle and will push the 2s forward. Whether they will line up remains to be seen. There is no point in seeing a dentist specifically for this as they don't have a crystal ball and cannot predict how straight the teeth will be. My professional view is that he is likely to have some overcrowding, looking at the space available for adult teeth. Nothing can be done for years, so it's a conversation for the future at a routine check up.

This is very helpful, thank you!!

His dad had a lot of overcrowding, apparently, and eventually had four teeth removed. Perhaps DS will have a similar fate when he’s older.

Would you recommend I clean his teeth for him at this age? I don’t currently as i wanted to trust his independence, but I also don’t want him to have the problems I’ve ended up with later on if his teeth are hard to get to (my teeth aren’t hard to get to, but I have gum disease, although it’s currently under control).