Your child’s smile is more than just adorable; it's a foundation for lifelong oral health. Most children start showing signs of bite misalignment by age seven. Since proper bite alignment affects how your child eats, speaks, and breathes, misalignments can lead to problems ranging from tooth decay to speech difficulties. This is why it’s so important to have your child evaluated by a pediatric dentist for early orthodontic intervention, even if you think everything looks okay.

Pediatric dentists can use specialized training to spot potential problems before they become more serious. As your child's teeth develop, these dental professionals can also recommend appropriate dental interventions, from simple monitoring to more comprehensive orthodontic treatment. This often saves families time and money down the road — and reduces your child's discomfort. 

Read on to learn about the modern dental technology offered by the best orthodontist in Apex to fix a bad bite. 

Common Types of Bite Problems in Children

Children can develop several distinct bite misalignments as their teeth and jaws grow: 

• Overbite: This occurs when the upper front teeth significantly overlap the lower teeth, sometimes causing the lower teeth to bite into the roof of the mouth. 
• Underbite: This type of malocclusion happens when the lower teeth extend beyond the upper teeth, giving the chin a more prominent appearance and potentially causing difficulties with chewing and speaking. 
• Crossbites: This develops when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting, which may lead to asymmetrical jaw alignment or excessive wear on affected teeth. 
• Open bite: With this type of bite, the front teeth don't touch when the back teeth are closed, often resulting in speech issues like lisping and challenges with biting into foods.

Lastly, while not always considered a bite problem, dental crowding happens when teeth have insufficient space and become crooked or overlapped. While these spacing issues create noticeable gaps between teeth, both conditions can affect proper cleaning and increase the risk of dental problems.

What Causes Bite Misalignment in Children?

Bite problems in children stem from a combination of inherited traits and environmental factors. Genetic influences play a significant role, as children often inherit jaw size, tooth size, and facial structure from their parents. This explains why certain bite issues run in families. 

Behavioral habits also contribute substantially:

• Prolonged thumb-sucking or pacifier use beyond age four can push teeth outward and reshape the developing jaw, creating a need for a habit-breaking dental appliance.
• When baby teeth are lost prematurely due to decay or injury, adjacent teeth may drift into the empty space, blocking the proper eruption of permanent teeth.
• Children who habitually breathe through their mouth, often due to allergies or enlarged adenoids, typically develop narrower upper jaws and higher palates, which can alter their bite alignment. 
• Tongue thrusting, pushing the tongue against the front teeth when swallowing, creates constant pressure that gradually moves teeth out of position.
• Discrepancies in jaw growth timing or size between the upper and lower jaws can also create significant bite misalignments as children develop.

How to Tell if Your Child Needs Bite Correction

There are several key indicators that parents can watch for that might signal bite problems requiring professional attention:

• If your child struggles while eating, avoids certain foods, frequently bites the inside of their cheek frequently, or doesn’t seem to be chewing their food properly, their bite alignment may be compromised. 
• Speech difficulties, particularly with sounds requiring precise tongue placement like the /s/, /z/ and /th/ sounds, often stem from improper tooth positioning or jaw alignment. 
• Consistent mouth breathing, especially during rest or sleep, suggests potential airway issues related to jaw development and tooth alignment. 
• If your child mentions symptoms like jaw discomfort, headaches, or clicking sounds when they open or close their mouth; these symptoms may indicate temporomandibular joint (TMJ) stress from bite misalignment. 

Additionally, obviously crooked teeth, teeth that don't meet properly when your child bites down, protruding front teeth, or asymmetry in their facial appearance are all clear indications that your child may have a bite malocclusion. 

You don’t have to rely on your own observations to ensure your child has timely treatment for bite issues. Getting your child an orthodontic consultation no later than age seven or whenever you suspect there might be an issue will ensure that your child receives the right orthodontic care at the right time.

Treatment Options for Bite Misalignment

Early orthodontics includes many techniques and targeted exercises to retrain improper swallowing patterns, tongue positioning, and breathing habits that contribute to bite problems. Additionally, orthodontic appliances can help ensure your child’s mouth grows properly. Some of the most common treatment options include: 

• Space maintainers in Apex help preserve gaps when baby teeth are lost prematurely, ensuring permanent teeth have adequate room to emerge correctly. 
• Self-ligating or traditional metal braces that gradually reposition teeth
• Clear aligners for a removable alternative for milder cases of misalignment
• Palatal expanders and other growth modification devices that address narrow upper jaws by gradually widening the palate, creating proper arch form, and correcting crossbites

For significant jaw size discrepancies that orthodontics alone cannot fix, surgical interventions may be necessary.

Where to Find the Best Kids’ Orthodontist in Apex

At Spielberg Orthodontics, we prioritize creating a welcoming and personalized experience for every child who walks through our doors. Led by Dr. Spielberg, our dedicated team are passionate about understanding each patient's unique needs and ensuring that we craft individualized treatment plans that not only straighten teeth but also boost confidence. 

We believe that a beautiful smile can transform lives and are committed to delivering exceptional results that last a lifetime. With our extensive experience, we combine modern techniques with a comforting environment, making orthodontic visits enjoyable rather than stressful. If you’re looking for the best orthodontist in the Morrisville, Cary, New Hill, West Cary, and Holly Springs areas, look to Spielberg Orthodontics for a team that genuinely cares about your child's journey to a radiant smile.