How Can I Prevent My Child’s Bite Issues?

Have you noticed your child constantly sucking their thumb?

Has your child experienced artificial feeding?

Have you noticed your child sleeping with their head thrown too far back or with chin pressed against the chest?

Excessive sucking among children over 2-4 years old is an ingrained habit or can have nervous background. Such a habit may lead to an open or cross bite as well as jaw joint issues like wrong lower jaw (mandible) position. Moreover, face muscles including chewing ones are in constant tension that in a long run can also affect jaws position and chewing abilities. To eliminate this habit you can try specially designed thumb stall or some kinds of plays that need fingers to be involved to distract your child’s attention. If you notice some early signs of open bite, please see your pediatric dentist for more information and orthodontic treatment.

Your child may have certain risks of wrong bite due to bottle feeding. Breast-feeding provides favorable conditions for normal bite development (in the case of correct feeding position). Whereas artificial bottle-feeding can lead to open bite as well as teeth arches narrowing. To prevent wrong bite development you can choose correct anatomy based bottle nipple (if you have special conditions where breast-feeding is not possible). Moreover taking care of feeding pose is also important. Contact your pediatrician for more information.

Sleeping habits can affect your child’s bite in the case of sleeping with the head thrown too far back or vice versa with the chin disposed too low. You should pay enough attention to your child’s back posture and walking manner. Incorrect posture can often lead to excessive tension of the back, neck and chewing muscles. Such a condition may negatively affect your child’s jaw joint functions. To prevent any dysfunctions you should regularly visit your pediatrician as well as pediatric dentist in recommended order. Schedule a visit to your pediatrician for more information and for a checkup.

Based on your answers, it is difficult to determine whether your child has any risks of abnormal bite. Please consult your pediatric dentist for more information and for a checkup.