Often observed on the front teeth, between the lower and upper jaw, dental open bite—a type of malocclusion—is very common among children. While the causes can vary greatly, prolonged pacifier use or frequent thumb sucking are among them. Fortunately, dental open bite can be prevented, especially by using a physiological pacifier, which is more respectful of the development of the palate and teeth.
CONTENTS:
- Do you know what dental open bite is?
- Thumb and pacifier: the #1 dental issues for babies
- The physiological pacifier: your prevention ally against dental open bite
- What to do if you notice a dental open bite issue in your child?
Do you know what dental open bite is?
Dental open bite, also called infraocclusion, is defined by the absence of contact between certain teeth of the upper and lower dental arches, creating a visible space that can vary in size. This anomaly can affect different areas of the mouth. It is then described as:
- Anterior dental open bite affecting the incisors and canines,
- Posterior dental open bite affecting the premolars and molars,
- Lateral dental open bite if only one side of the mouth is affected,
- Total dental open bite, when the two jaws do not fit together at all.
These different forms of malocclusion (misalignment of the teeth) lead many pre-teens and their parents to the dentist every year, where they are often advised to schedule an orthodontist appointment, particularly to assess the need for partial or full braces.
How to identify a dental open bite in your child?
To spot poor alignment of the teeth and jaw, you just need to be a bit observant. And since, as a parent, you spend a lot of time admiring your baby, everything should go well.🥰
Watch your child when they eat, drink, or even talk; you can easily spot a gap (even a small one) in the front teeth, especially the incisors. It’s simple—it looks like the placement of the thumb in the mouth.
Visible to the naked eye, this dental anomaly can also be recognized by possible difficulty eating properly (especially when biting food with their teeth) or speech problems (such as a lisp).
A straw systematically slipped in the same spot between the teeth, a child who always chews on the same side or who mainly breathes through their mouth (due to a different placement of the tongue and jaws) are other clues that a small misalignment is forming and that it’s time to see a specialist.
The importance of a pediatric dental checkup to help you
Pediatric checkups are essential to monitor your baby’s growth, weight gain, and development. As they grow, the doctor can observe when the first teeth come in and whether they’re well positioned. If there is a space that is too large between certain teeth or alignment to monitor, they’ll let you know.
But you can be proactive! If you observe the first signs of a dental open bite, or suspect that thumb sucking could prevent your baby's teeth from lining up properly, know that a first dental visit can absolutely take place around age two for an initial assessment of your little one’s future smile.
Genetics, habits, and morphology: reasons for a dental open bite
There are many reasons why your child may be affected by one type of dental open bite or another. In most cases, these begin in early childhood and are related to habits, but not always.
-
A poor tongue position while talking or swallowing can force the jaws apart and create a misalignment.
-
Certain sucking habits: Used too long or too often during oral and dental growth, pacifiers, bottles, and thumbs can cause teeth to shift.
-
Genetics can also play a role, as they determine the shape, size, and positioning of teeth and jaw.
Consequences of untreated dental open bite
First of all, it’s important to note that a dental open bite is not serious, but it’s important for it to be corrected. In the short or medium term, it can have effects on your child's dental health and hygiene. If it’s very pronounced, it can also harm their self-esteem and relationships with others.
-
Regarding teeth:
-
Premature enamel wear due to friction,
-
Occlusion problems (trouble closing the mouth) and sometimes some joint disorders,
-
Difficulty chewing.
-
-
In terms of dental aesthetics:
-
A very visible misalignment can harm self-confidence, especially for teenagers, who may stop smiling to avoid showing their teeth.
-
From a functional point of view:
-
Depending on the type of open bite, an existing pronunciation problem may worsen,
-
This malocclusion can also lead to more mouth breathing instead of nasal breathing (even though the nose acts as a filter against allergens, certain pollens, or microbes that can be harmful to health).
-
In terms of dental hygiene:
-
A dental open bite can create areas that are harder to brush and promote cavities,
-
As an adult, there’s a higher risk of developing periodontal pockets around misaligned teeth.
-
If you are a regular reader (thank you 🤍), your baby may not have any teeth yet, or may currently be using a teething ring to help their teeth come in. You might be wondering how concerns over adolescent discomfort or dental difficulties relate to you. The answer is simple: preventing dental open bite from your baby's earliest months.
Thumb and pacifier: the #1 dental issues for babies
As mentioned above, thumb and pacifier use are among the main causes of dental open bite in toddlers. By exerting regular pressure on the teeth, both can affect their positioning, sometimes even before they appear. To avoid this issue, pediatricians and orthodontists recommend limiting thumb sucking and pacifier use from a very young age.
But taking away a baby's pacifier is not easy (and the thumb is even harder). In fact, it’s often the number of nighttime wake-ups to replace the pacifier that shows how important it is.
Choosing the right pacifier to protect their teeth
The pacifier is very effective at soothing and comforting babies. But to choose the most suitable model, several criteria matter.
First, choose your baby's pacifier according to their age. From 0 to 6 months, from 6 to 18 months, and for over 18 months; pacifiers come in different sizes to suit all babies. The shield should always be wide enough to avoid ingestion risks, but the nipple size will vary.
Its introduction should also be done gently and at the right time. Wait at least four weeks after birth before offering it to your newborn, so as to avoid any risk of nipple confusion. Offer it when your baby is calm and combine it with a ritual like cuddling. This will help you set limits for use.
Around 12 months and up to age 2, you can begin pacifier weaning with confidence. Start by limiting use to naps, bedtime, and times of fatigue, then take advantage of any transition or change in your baby's life for total weaning. The pacifier can then be replaced by another comforting object, such as a lovey.
This way, the pacifier remains a pleasure and a useful childcare accessory to help manage toddlers’ emotions and soothe their need to suck.
The physiological pacifier: your prevention ally against dental open bite
Also called an orthodontic pacifier, the physiological pacifier stands out primarily because of its unique shape that fully harmonizes with children’s mouths, but it has other advantages too.
-
A shape adapted to babies’ oral anatomy with a rounded side that respects the palate and a flat side that rests on the tongue.
-
Reduced risk of dental malocclusion thanks to a design that helps prevent positioning problems like open bite and encourages natural sucking without excess pressure.
-
Besides its ability to prevent dental open bite, the physiological pacifier can also contribute to healthy oral development in children. By providing natural sucking and encouraging proper oral and tongue posture, it can help strengthen jaw muscles and encourage nose breathing.
-
Safe and hygienic materials like medical-grade silicone ensure healthy and safe use for babies and make cleaning easy.
-
Easier to stop than thumb sucking, the physiological pacifier can eventually be replaced with other sources of comfort, such as a cuddly object or a soothing ritual.
What to do if you notice a dental open bite issue in your child?
Although dental open bite is mainly an aesthetic issue, your little one may wish to correct it as they get older. So, don’t wait until the discomfort becomes significant.
At the first sign of misaligned teeth in your child (or any other dental concern), book an appointment with a pediatrician for young children, or go directly to a dentist or orthodontist for older kids. There, you’ll find out if it’s a mild and easy-to-fix issue, or, once the permanent teeth have come in, if orthodontic treatment and braces are needed. Functional re-education may also be considered if the problem is due to poor tongue positioning.
For adults, in the most pronounced cases of open bite with significant misalignment of the teeth, orthodontic treatment might involve mouth surgery to change both the size and position of the jaws.
One more reason, if you needed one, to be proactive and switch to a physiological pacifier today!
call-to-action-collections
