The orthodontist named the habits that form the wrong bite in a child

Children sucking a finger, pacifier or holding foreign objects in their mouths can cause serious changes in the development of the maxillofacial apparatus. Viktoria Radko, orthodontist, head of the orthodontic department of the EUROKAPPA clinic scientific and clinical center, told Izvestia on January 25.

"The habit of sucking a finger or pacifier is formed in infancy, when the child explores the world around him, pulls various objects into his mouth. If you do not wean him from this habit in time, it can lead to a violation of normal jaw growth. The upper jaw gradually narrows, the lower jaw shifts back, which becomes the cause of the so-called distal bite", - explained Radko.

According to her, it is also worth paying attention to the prolonged use of feeding bottles. When a child drinks liquids through a pacifier for a long time, his chewing muscles do not work properly, which prevents the harmonious development of the jaws. The result can be an open bite, in which the teeth do not close properly.

Problems with bite formation often occur in school-age children who sit at a table with their head propped up on their arm.

"This position creates uneven pressure on one side of the jaw, which leads to facial asymmetry and deformation of the jaw apparatus," said the specialist.

An incorrect bite affects not only the condition of the teeth, but also the general health of the child, Radko emphasized. Deformation of the jaws can partially block the airways, because of which breathing is disturbed and chronic hypoxia develops. This condition leads to constant fatigue, reduced concentration, poor sleep quality and even posture disorders. At the same time, the child becomes less mobile, loses motivation to study.

To avoid such problems, parents should monitor the child's behavior from an early age. The orthodontist recommended to stop the habit of sucking fingers, pacifiers or other objects, as well as not to use feeding bottles after the age of 1-1.5 years. The doctor advised paying attention to the child's posture during activities and making sure the child has the correct posture.

"For example, if the child continues to suck his finger, it will be extremely difficult to achieve a lasting treatment result. It is important not only to correct the bite, but also to eliminate the causes of its violation. Sometimes this requires the work of related specialists: speech therapist, neurologist, osteopath or psychologist," - emphasized the specialist.

Radko said that in orthodontic practice there are no universal solutions. Each case requires an individual approach, because the causes of disorders can be different.

Earlier, on November 29, 2024, orthodontist-dentist "SM-Stomatology", Candidate of Medical Sciences Natalia Yurchenko told "Izvestia" that the improper growth of wisdom teeth can lead to serious oral health problems, including displacement of the tooth row and the development of infection. According to her, one of the most common problems is pain and discomfort.