Early Warning Signs Of Bite Problems In Children Often Go Unnoticed By Parents

Parents frequently bring children to Oasis Orthodontics at age 12 or 13 for crooked teeth without realizing the warning signs appeared years earlier. Dr. Khushee Sharma-Fung sees this pattern regularly in her practice. The problems show up as mouth breathing during sleep, prolonged thumb sucking, or difficulty chewing certain foods. Most families assume these are temporary phases that children will outgrow. By the time treatment begins, jaw development has already been affected. "A parent will mention their child still breathes through the mouth at night," Dr. Sharma-Fung said. "They don't connect that to bite development. Or a child avoids certain foods because biting hurts, and families think it's pickiness. These are signs the bite isn't forming correctly."
Crossbites occur when upper teeth sit inside lower teeth during biting. Underbites happen when the lower jaw juts forward. Crowding pushes adult teeth into twisted positions. Each condition creates different symptoms that parents might not connect to orthodontic issues.
Children with crossbites often favor one side of their mouth when chewing to avoid discomfort. Kids with underbites develop altered speech patterns. Severe crowding causes food to get stuck between teeth, which parents typically address with better brushing habits rather than professional evaluation.
The practice recommends evaluation by age seven, when the first adult molars emerge. Dr. Sharma-Fung can assess how the bite is developing and determine whether early intervention will prevent more complex treatment later.
Dentofacial orthopedics guides jaw growth while bones are still forming. Some cases require only periodic monitoring. Others benefit from phase one treatment that creates space or corrects bite position before permanent teeth fully erupt.
Dr. Sharma-Fung personally treats every patient at each appointment. This differs from larger practices where assistants often handle adjustments. She applies the same precision to patient care that she uses when teaching dental students.
Oasis Orthodontics schedules appointments after school, during evenings, and on Saturdays. Treatment occurs in private rooms at the Washington Street location in historic Markham Village.
Families from throughout the region bring children for evaluation. Initial consultations include bite assessment, jaw growth pattern analysis, and discussion of treatment timing.
Early evaluation identifies problems when solutions are simpler. It catches issues before they affect permanent tooth position, jaw joint function, or facial development.

Oasis Orthodontics
48 Washington Street Markham, ON L3P 2R5 Canada
Phone: (905) 209-1900
Email: oasismarkham@gmail.com
Website: https://www.oasis-ortho.com

Oasis Orthodontics is a boutique orthodontic practice in Markham, Ontario. Dr. Khushee Sharma-Fung provides personalized treatment in private rooms. Services include braces, Radiance clear braces, metal braces, dentofacial orthopedics, and surgical orthodontics.

This release was published on openPR.