My son is two-and-a-half, and we literally just weaned him from his pacifier. I have noticed that over time, he has developed an open bite. I haven't taken him to a pediatric dentist yet, but I am a bit concerned about it, especially given my history of orthodontic and orthognathic problems. I was a finger sucker until I was 6 and have had to have two rounds of braces, two upper and lower jaw surgeries as well as tooth extractions and gum surgery. That probably explains my anxiety about this.
Does anyone have a child who has had an open bite? If so, did it correct itself over time, or did more drastic measures have to be taken?
Hi A.,
I would watch his facial growth for the next little bit before I start with high dental bills. If he still has the open bite at 3 .5 or 4 then I would see a dentist. There is really nothing they can do at that age except to tell you to keep coming back- he is growing so watch and see how his facial growth seems to be.
good luck and blessings
Don't worry yourself sick over this. Just make sure he isn't doing any more damage. No more pacifiers or thumb sucking. He will most likely need orthodontics when he gets older, but you stopped this in time before the damage gets really bad. reversibility is related to the age the habit is stopped. There is also 80% spontaneous correction if stopped before 9 years old. If your child starts thumb sucking then he may need a habit reminder, which is fitted to his upper palate and stops him from sucking.
When your child is about 8-9 you will get a better idea what procedures will need to be done. Until then, relax and don't forget to brush 2x a day. Ha! good luck hope this helps
My daughter, about the same age had a terrible "open bite" from the pacifier. Less than four months later after giving up the paci, her mouth looks amazing! I couldn't believe it shaped itself up so quickly. Give it about six months to form correctly before you start worrying too much! Good luck momma, and go for you for getting him off of it now!
I think the lower jaw matures more slowly than the upper...not sure where I heard this, but it was part of an explanation of kids' bite problems resolving somewhat over time. If you're worried, take him to a dentist...maybe preventive work could prevent him having the problems you had. Good luck!
It is recommended that your child see a dentist by 1 year old now. It is time to start taking him anyway to establish that dentists are wonderful and nothing to be afraid of. And while you're there you can ask if it is structural or if it will go back. We go to Little Smiles off Parmer and Avery Ranch and love Dr. Jenny!
It may not be necessary to take him to a pediatric dentist, but he does need to have a dental check up. All kids should see a dentist by the time they are 2. Your dentist will be the best judge of what is needed, and the earlier you get him in, the better.
see your dentist and give history, they will be better able to answer your questions and give help if needed.
Pacifiers & thumbsucking are notorious for giving kids 'buck teeth' or 'bad bites' as you stated. I'm not sure if the permanent teeth will come in the same way or straight. We had straight teeth come in both baby teeth & perm. teeth since my mom never allowed a pacifier & we never really thumbsucked so we were lucky. I'd say the reason this happens is that the teeth, roof of the mouth (palate) form around the pacifier since they're soft & continue to form as we grow into adulthood so they're pliable & easily conforms. Your son will probably need braces so just keep that in mind but I'd wait to see how the permanent teeth come in. Good luck!
Hi A., I would simply tell you not to worry about it, and don't compare him to you. He's much less likely to have comparable issues as he's done with passy at 2-1/2, whereas you sucked your thumb till 6YO. And thumb sucking is probably worse because it's more likely a constant, whereas passy becomes just a bedtime/naptime thing at some point.
So, don't worry... get him to the dentist, have a assessment, and be totally informed of what your family may (or may not) be faced with. You'll feel so much better afterwards, and can begin dealing with it.
And always remind yourself that it could be so much worse... cancer, leukemia, disabilities, lazy eye (my daughter began wearing glasses at 20 mos.!!), bedwetting, etc. We as parents just have to deal with it, and help your child overcome. Good luck to you and your family!!
A.
My son also has a fairly large open bite when he gave up the pacifier at 2 1/2. I was for sure that braces were in the future. It was remarkable how fast the gap closed. I would give it a little time and try not to worry about it.
We started orthodontist visits for an extreme open bite (she sucked her thumb until she was 5 or 6) when my daughter was 7 and she actually started braces as soon as her back molars were fully errupted. She's on round two right now, but she has had no extractions or surgeries. She just turned 12 and no more open bite :) We started dentist visits (happy visits :) between the ages of 3 and 4 and there is a lot that can happen in these early years, so don't worry too much. Since he's stopped sucking his mouth may change some on its own. But a dentist could help you determine what to do.
My son was 3 when we gave the pacifier to Santa (long story). He had an open bite as well. Within 6 months his had closed -- Don't worry. The main thing is to keep him from replacing the pacifier with this thumb or finger - this will do more damage than the pacifier ever did.
My oldest had a fairly significant open bite, as well as large spaces between her upper front teeth. The orthodontist thought about cutting the tissue between her two front teeth (ouch!), but eventually decided to just put the braces on a see if that took care of everything. She had the braces for a total of 13 months and her teeth a pretty much perfect now. The bite is corrected and no more spaces. So, I don't think you should worry...they can do amazing things with orthodontics these days!
Your son's open bite should close over time. Same thing happened with my daughter. I'm a dental-phobe myself so I completely understand your stress about dental procedures. Unfortunately, kids tend to 'inherit' their teeth from their parents, so your son will likely have teeth similar to yours or his dad's. The beauty of the situation is that dentistry and orthodontics have changed since we were kids - for the better. My daughter's frenulectomy was done in about 20 minutes with a laser by her dentist, required only a shot to numb the area, did not need any pain meds afterward, and was playing soccer the next day. The oral surgery to do the same procedure would have required a trip to the surgeon, post-op pain meds, stitches and about a 2 week recovery.
Make sure you have a great dentist who stays on top of changes in dental technology and don't worry. You're doing a great job as a Mom!!!
I don't have any advice to give on the open bite other than to say get him to a pedi dentist. He actually should have been going since he was about 6 months old, that is what is recommended. If he is destined to have oral problems, early prevention could eliminate painful, expensive corrective procedures in the future.
