Can I have a 9 year old’s two front teeth straightened?

[ErmineAndPearls]

Please let me be very clear. This is not about appearances. It is 100% about my child’s confidence. I grew up in a big family and concerns about personal image were given zero attention. DD is an only child. I’m determined that she will have an easier time than I did.
DD is 9, nearly 10. Her teeth are at that mad stage where she has some “baby” teeth, some adult teeth, some gaps. She recently told me “the only thing I don’t like about my body” is the big gap between her two front teeth. They’re both big teeth, and they’re BIG. One is straight and the other is pointing out the way. I can see that when all her other teeth grow in, they’ll push these two teeth together. This is what happened with me, but I was at least lucky enough that, although gappy, mine were straight. I plan to ask my (NHS) dentist about it, but will he think I’m crazy? I don’t think any dentist will put those fixed, “train track” braces on a 9 year old, and I wouldn’t want him to. Do dentists ever do those “plate” style braces any more? I had one of those (1980s) to guide one wonky tooth into place. It was very effective. Would a dentist (even privately) make something like that just to straighten the two front teeth? Is there a “DIY” kind of option?

[ExistentialApathy]

I don't think any dentists will touch teeth that are still growing unless there are serious issues. No harm is asking though.

[NoToLandfill]

An orthodontist is who you need to see. Regular dentists aren't specialist on moving teeth. Tbh I'd leave it, but am not a dentist! Your dd sounds like you will look after her well, lucky girl.

[CatherinedeBourgh]

My ds had wonky teeth at age 9, and I took him to a functional orthodontist. He used a mouthguard type thing while sleeping and for a few 15 min sessions a day to retrain his bite and the teeth completely straightened out. He's now a teen and doesn't need braces at all.

I'm abroad so don't know if its also called functional orthodontics in the UK, but it's basically an approach which is about correcting the mouth posture and making sure all the teeth have room to be straight as the child grows.

[toastedbagiel]

Did you tell your DD her teeth are absolutely fine, still growing etc? I think asking the dentist about straightening a 9 year olds teeth is feeding the negativity rather than helping it tbh.

[Idratherhaveacuppa]

At 9 my DS could have fit a small finger between his front teeth. Now at 11, the gap has all but closed. The gap served a purpose and once his big teeth all came through, they all shuffled about.
Our dentist wouldn't refer DD to the orthodontist until all her milk teeth were out.
They change so much in months at that age. I loved DS's gap, it was very cute.
Don't make it an issue. If she needs orthodontic work later on as a teen, that's fine but at 9? Nope.

[tigerbear0906]

My 10yo DD has exactly the same . One of her front teeth is at a slight sticky out angle. She has most of her adult teeth now although a few baby teeth left at the back. She had a check up last month and our NHS dentist has referred her to an orthodontist as he doesn't think it will straighten itself. He said it'll be a few months until she's seen though. I'm sure your dentist will refer her if needed

[Sally872]

They all go through a really awkward stage when some big teeth some baby and still small faces with adult teeth.

Regular dentist and referral to orthodontist when/if needed. They avoid any referral until all baby teeth are out in my area, unless they are extremely overlapped and impossible to brush correctly.

For now, build resilience, you look great, looks aren't important, everyone goes through this stage and we can look at braces when you're older.

[BrieAndChilli]

It depends on whether the issue is purely cosmetic or whether the wonky teeth will affect others. DD had an almost twisted round tooth at the front and so when she was about 10 she had a plate brace which had a little spring behind that tooth to slowly move it round. She is likely to still need braces now she is a little older and all her baby teeth have finally fallen out but it was done because it would have effected the other big teeth coming down plus was never going to sort out on it’s own.

[ErmineAndPearls]

Thank you for your responses. You’re absolutely right, I don’t want to make a big deal about it at all. It was just her “only thing I don’t like” comment that kind of broke my heart a tiny bit. If that’s the only thing, deep down, I know I’m doing a decent job. (Thanks @NoToLandfill !) At that age, I was a ball of anxiety, but I knew better than to share any of it - would have just got a “stop yer nonsense!”
I will mention it to the dentist, just to show her I’m listening, but your answers have been very reassuring.

[Oinkypig]

if You were to find a dentist/orthodontist to try and move these teeth, and you possibly could because it would be on a private basis you absolutely shouldn’t trust them, it’s not appropriate to be moving teeth at this stage. You sound a lovely mum! I don’t know of the phraseology has changed but when I was at dental school this stage was called the ugly duckling stage (not the best terminology!) most children go through it and when all the adult teeth come in it either sorts itself out or the actual orthodontic treatment required to correct any crowding/malocclusion is more clear.

I think your plan sounds perfect you listen to your child and help articulate her concerns to the dentist. The one bonus is if she doesn’t like her teeth you will have a motivated child to get braces!

[Oinkypig]

And loads of typos there, should have previewed my post.

[ErmineAndPearls]

Thank you, @Oinkypig. I was hoping a dentist would turn up. Love Mumsnet, responsible for sensible decisions since this girl was a bump! 😊

[Aquamarine1029]

Please let me be very clear. This is not about appearances.

Huh? What's wrong with being concerned about your child's appearance? Having nice teeth is important. You should be concerned about them. I recommend you take her to an orthodontist as soon as you can so an appropriate treatment plan can be put into motion. They may want to wait a few years, but then you'll know.

[TheSmallAssassin]

@Aquamarine1029

Please let me be very clear. This is not about appearances.

Huh? What's wrong with being concerned about your child's appearance? Having nice teeth is important. You should be concerned about them. I recommend you take her to an orthodontist as soon as you can so an appropriate treatment plan can be put into motion. They may want to wait a few years, but then you'll know.

Because appearance shouldn't matter that much and we ought not to tell our children that it's important enough to put ourselves through at least discomfort and maybe pain to look a certain way.

Why do you think this prejudice (against unattractiveness) is OK and that we should perpetuate it?

[CombatBarbie]

Ask for a referral? How many baby teeth has she left? My 10yr old DD is being fitted for braces in Aug.... But her baby ones fell out in quick routine succession after an accident at preschool so has all her adult teeth.

[LethargeMarg]

Just a word of warning there are huge waits for orthodontists on the nhs currently and if it's purely cosmetic you're very unlikely to get it on the nhs. I've just had to pay £2000 for my 13 year old to have braces (very big overbite) and had been told if I hadn't gone private it would be a three year wait and even then may not be accepted

[ErmineAndPearls]

@Aquamarine1029 I just didn’t want people to think that I was a kind of “toddlers and tiaras” pageant mummy, disappointed that my little princess actually looks like one of the Bash Street Kids. She doesn’t, she looks fine. She looks like me, and I’m happily average!

[CombatBarbie]

@LethargeMarg

Just a word of warning there are huge waits for orthodontists on the nhs currently and if it's purely cosmetic you're very unlikely to get it on the nhs. I've just had to pay £2000 for my 13 year old to have braces (very big overbite) and had been told if I hadn't gone private it would be a three year wait and even then may not be accepted

DD had her referral done in Apr, orthodontist on 12 May and is being fitted with hers in Aug with NHS funding. Hers, in my opinion, is cosmetic with one canine coming in high, no overbite, gaps etc.... I thought they'd just remove it tbh. SW Scotland

[Tigrillo]

My 9 year old has similarly wonky front teeth, one of them is pretty much sideways on. I'm just waiting to see what happens as it grows. Hopefully it will straighten out. If not I'll request a referral to an orthodontist sooner rather than later just because the waiting lists are years long in our area.

[BingeOnChocolate]

I'm glad you've posted this because I actually had a conversation with our private dentist for a similar reason this week. DSD 8 has lost all 4 of her top teeth at once (the last of her baby teeth) and they are now growing down what appears to be wonky. She's obviously aware of it and it's provoked a few self awareness conversations. I read online about the night time retainer like a PP mentioned as she also grinds her teeth at night but our dentist said for now, he just wants to keep monitoring her as the come down full before agree to them. He also said as her head grows, her jaw will widen and her teeth may change again. If when they've full grown she's still concerned about them I'll take her for a second opinion at a teeth straightening specialist.

[Aquamarine1029]

@TheSmallAssassin

Because appearance shouldn't matter that much and we ought not to tell our children that it's important enough to put ourselves through at least discomfort and maybe pain to look a certain way.

Why do you think this prejudice (against unattractiveness) is OK and that we should perpetuate it?

🙄

[LethargeMarg]

combat barbie that's not the case in england sounds like you've been really lucky . If you search any threads on here about braces you'll see it's very likely a two year minimum wait unless you go private (when you'll be seen straight away)

[AnuSTart]

It's normal where we live - Germany- for children to have orthodontic treatment to make sure the adult teeth come through correctly and prevent issues.
It's bs to be frank that it doesn't work. As some PPs seem to be thinking.
My daughters had night time braces from around 8 and as teens have perfect teeth.

See an orthodontist. Teeth are important. Not just visually (though if it's already affecting her confidence then it shouldn't be underestimated ) but also in terms of biting correctly and preventing headaches later.

[Reallyreallyborednow]

They won’t fit braces until all her permanent teethe are through.

however I would ask your dentist about a referall. Here the wait list is 3-5 years. Dd was referred at 12 even though she had some baby teeth, as they figured by the time the referral came they’d be out. That was pre-lockdown though when the wait was “only” 2 years.

so she’s 14 now and I am starting the private referall process. Will cost me £3-4k but otherwise she could be 16+ Or even older.

[IWishIWasABaller]

They usually won't start any sort of orthodontics until all their permanent teeth are down. My daughter had a very large gap on her front teeth too that I personally though was very attractive but it's started to close now that her permanent teeth are coming in. Saying that she did start to grow a little self conscious about it due to the large amount of adults commenting on the gap 😡I would maybe make an appointment for a check up with a dentist or a consultation with an orthodontist.