Like most parents, you want to ensure your child’s dental health is at its best. If your child has an overbite, you may want to consider your options for resolving it. It’s important to remember that overbites are common and can be corrected with various treatments, depending on their severity.
What Is an Overbite?
When the teeth along your upper jawline overlap the teeth on your lower jaw, the misalignment is known as an overbite. Overbites can occur in various degrees of severity, where some might only have a slight overbite with a small overlap, and others might have a more extreme overbite where the top row of teeth completely overlaps the bottom row. Overbites are divided into two primary categories:
- Dental overbites: Overbites in this category occur when the upper and lower jawline are correctly aligned, but the teeth are misaligned, causing the upper row to overlap the bottom row of teeth.
- Skeletal overbites: A skeletal overbite occurs when the upper jaw is enlarged or the lower jaw is too small, causing the top row of teeth to overlap the lower row.
Why Do Overbites Occur?
While a kid’s overbite can occur due to the jawline inherited from their parents, it can be present for several other reasons related to poor oral habits, including:
- Thumb-sucking
- Nail biting
- Teeth grinding
- Tongue-thrusting
- Overuse of pacifiers, baby bottles or sippy cups
Can a Toddler Overbite Correct Itself?
Irrespective of the category or severity, your child will require treatment to correct their overbite. If the overbite is left untreated, it could increase your toddler’s risk of experiencing conditions such as:
- Gum disease, tooth decay and cavities
- An inability to chew properly
- Breathing difficulties
- Pain in the jaw and surrounding muscles
- Speech impediments
Given these risks, speaking to a pediatric orthodontist is wise to ensure optimal dental health for your child over the long term.
Should You Treat an Overbite Early?
Early overbite detection and treatment will benefit your child’s dental health, and the earlier, the better. In fact, your child can begin treatment as early as 7 years old. If overbite treatment is delayed, your child could face several setbacks requiring further intervention by a pediatric orthodontist. Some adverse effects related to delayed treatment include:
- Unnatural tooth enamel wear
- Crooked growth of teeth
- Damage to the gum or palate by lower teeth
- Abnormal jaw development
- Negative impact on self-esteem
While the occurrence and severity of these side effects will depend on how extreme the overbite is, it’s best to seek treatment as soon as possible to avoid complications.
How to Fix an Overbite in Kids
Treating an overbite in children and teens is less complicated than fixing adult overbites, as kid’s teeth, gums and jawline are still developing. Your pediatric orthodontist will begin by examining your child’s overbite to determine its severity and whether any permanent teeth have yet to come in. This assessment may involve performing an X-ray and taking a mold impression, or digital scan, of your child’s teeth.
In most instances, kids with an overbite need braces, a non-invasive treatment. Braces include brackets attached to each tooth, wires connecting the upper and lower rows of teeth and a small rubber band fitted on each side. This system is gradually tightened to realign your child’s teeth, and you can opt for traditional metal or clear braces.
Fox Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics Can Treat Your Child’s Overbite
When treating your child’s overbite, you want to be sure they’re in capable and compassionate hands. At Fox Kids Dentistry & Orthodontics, we specialize in pediatric care and prioritize your child’s dental health, ensuring a comfortable and caring environment. For expert and reliable orthodontic care in Portland, contact our offices to schedule an appointment.
