Elevated Ortho’s Guide to Crooked Teeth: What Parents Need to Know

Causes, Prevention, and Treatment for Growing Smiles

Table of Contents

Introduction

What Causes Crooked Teeth in Kids?

The Importance of Early Orthodontic Evaluation

How Elevated Ortho Treats Crooked Teeth

Signs Your Child Might Need Orthodontic Treatment

Preventing Crooked Teeth: What Parents Can Do

Why Parents Trust Elevated Ortho

Conclusion: Supporting Your Child’s Smile Journey

Book a Consultation

Introduction

As a parent, it’s natural to want the best for your child—especially regarding their health and confidence. One area often overlooked until it becomes a problem is the alignment of your child’s teeth and jaws. At Elevated Ortho, we believe early education leads to better outcomes. That’s why we’ve created this comprehensive guide: to help you understand the causes of crooked teeth, how to prevent them, and what treatment options are available to help your child grow into a confident, healthy smile.

Led by Dr. Don Montano, our practice in Bakersfield, California, has helped thousands of families for over 35 years. We offer expert care with compassion, innovation, and a deep commitment to excellence. Let’s explore everything you need to know as a parent about crooked teeth and what you can do today to prepare your child for smile success.

What Causes Crooked Teeth in Kids?

Understanding the causes of crooked teeth helps parents make informed decisions and take action at the right time. Here are the most common contributors:

Genetics

Like eye color or height, the shape and alignment of your child’s jaw and teeth can be inherited. If either parent needed braces or had crowding issues, there’s a higher likelihood your child may experience the same.

Oral Habits

Habits such as thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, pacifier use beyond age 3, or nail biting can all affect how your child’s teeth grow in—especially during critical jaw development stages.

Breathing and Jaw Development

Chronic mouth breathing (often caused by allergies or enlarged tonsils/adenoids) can alter jaw development and lead to bite issues such as an open bite or crossbite.

Injury or Early Tooth Loss

Accidents that damage the teeth or jaw or the early loss of baby teeth due to decay can create gaps or shifts that cause permanent teeth to grow crooked or misaligned.

The Importance of Early Orthodontic Evaluation

Did you know the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist by age 7?

At Elevated Ortho, we fully support early intervention. By identifying developing issues early, we can:

• Guide jaw growth to prevent more severe issues later
• Create space for crowded teeth
• Improve facial symmetry and overall oral function
• Shorten or simplify future treatment in the teen years
• Increase your child’s confidence with proactive smile care
  
  

Even if your child doesn’t need braces immediately, an early evaluation gives Dr. Montano and our team a chance to monitor growth and intervene at the ideal time.

How Elevated Ortho Treats Crooked Teeth

At Elevated Ortho, we know that every child’s smile is one-of-a-kind—and so is their treatment journey. That’s why we offer a variety of cutting-edge, customized orthodontic solutions to help guide teeth into healthy alignment with care, comfort, and confidence. Whether your child needs early interceptive treatment or full comprehensive care, Dr. Don Montano and our experienced team are here to deliver the right plan at the right time.

Here’s a closer look at our most popular treatment options:

Braces for Kids

Braces have come a long way over the decades. No longer the bulky, uncomfortable appliances of the past, today’s braces are sleek, efficient, and fun. Elevated Ortho uses high-quality brackets and wires that gently guide teeth into alignment over time with less friction and greater precision.

Braces are ideal for correcting a wide range of orthodontic concerns, including:

• Severe crowding – when teeth overlap due to limited space
• Overbites and underbites – when the upper or lower jaw extends too far
• Jaw misalignment – which can cause chewing issues and facial imbalance
• Crossbites – when upper and lower teeth don’t line up correctly
  
  

One of the most exciting parts for younger patients is choosing their color bands at each visit! With dozens of colors available, kids can show school spirit, match the season, or express their personality while working toward their dream smile.

We also make the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible by using advanced technology to plan treatment efficiently and monitor progress at every step. Braces are an excellent, time-tested choice for growing patients who benefit from consistent, supervised care.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign® for Kids and Teens)

If your child or teen is looking for a more discreet, flexible option, Invisalign® may be the perfect fit. Using a series of custom-made, clear aligners, Invisalign® gradually and comfortably shifts teeth into alignment—without metal brackets or wires.

Why families love clear aligners:

• ✅ Virtually invisible – No one will notice your child is wearing them
• ✅ Removable – Easy to take out for meals, brushing, flossing, or photos
• ✅ No food restrictions – Eat popcorn, apples, or sticky treats without worry
• ✅ Comfortable – Smooth plastic trays mean no poking wires or brackets
• ✅ Great hygiene – Easy to clean and maintain a healthy mouth

Invisalign® is especially popular with older children and teens committed to wearing their aligners for 20–22 hours daily. For the right candidate, this system delivers amazing results with maximum convenience, and Dr. Montano will help you determine if your child is a good fit.

We use digital scans and advanced software to precisely map out tooth movement, giving you a clear look at how your child’s smile will transform—before treatment even begins.

Personalized Care from Start to Finish

No matter which treatment path is right for your child, you can count on:

• A thorough consultation with Dr. Montano
• A custom treatment plan tailored to your child’s needs and age
• Transparent communication every step of the way
• A warm, friendly environment where kids feel welcome
• Flexible financing options to make treatment accessible
  
  

We believe that orthodontics should be as unique as the smile we’re creating. That starts with listening to you and your child, understanding your goals, and providing expert guidance.

Signs Your Child Might Need Orthodontic Treatment

You don’t need to be an orthodontist to notice when your child’s smile might be off. Keep an eye out for:

• Crowded or overlapping teeth
• Gaps between teeth
• Trouble chewing or biting
• Thumb sucking beyond age 3–4
• Jaws that click, pop, or seem out of alignment
• Speech difficulties
• Mouth breathing or snoring
  
  

If you notice any of these signs, we recommend scheduling an orthodontic evaluation as soon as possible.

Preventing Crooked Teeth: What Parents Can Do

While genetics can’t be changed, many behavioral and developmental causes of misalignment can be addressed early. Here are some preventive steps you can take:

• Promote healthy oral hygiene habits from an early age
• Monitor and discourage thumb sucking or pacifier use after age 3
• Keep up with regular dental checkups every six months
• Feed your child a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamins
• Encourage nose breathing and evaluate airway health if mouth breathing persists
• Schedule a consultation at Elevated Ortho by age 7
  
  

Why Parents Trust Elevated Ortho

With a 5-star Google rating and over 835 glowing reviews, Elevated Ortho is trusted by families in Bakersfield for more than straight teeth.

They trust us for:

✅ A welcoming, family-friendly office

✅ Transparent, honest recommendations

✅ Customized treatment plans tailored to every child

✅ Decades of proven experience

✅ A genuine commitment to kids’ health and confidence

Dr. Don Montano’s passion for orthodontics and people shines through in every interaction.

Conclusion: Supporting Your Child’s Smile Journey

Your child’s smile is more than just a set of teeth—it’s a source of confidence, self-expression, and health. And it all starts with the right care at the right time. At Elevated Ortho, we’re honored to partner with parents like you to create healthy, happy smiles that last a lifetime. Whether your child is just getting their first permanent teeth or is ready for braces or aligners, we’re here every step of the way.

Let us help you elevate your child’s smile—and give them something to truly smile about.

Book a Consultation Today

📞 Call: 661-665-7600

🌐 Visit: www.elevatedortho.com

📍 Location: Bakersfield, California



Elevated Ortho – Elevate Your Smile!

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