Signs of a Malocclusion in a Child

A malocclusion in a child rarely appears suddenly. It usually develops gradually, and the first signs can be noticed long before all the permanent teeth have come in. The sooner parents pay attention to them, the simpler and shorter the correction will be.

Main signs of a malocclusion

• Crowded teeth. Teeth overlap, rotate, or sit outside the arch. This makes hygiene difficult and promotes decay.
• A constantly open mouth. The child breathes through the mouth day and night and snores during sleep.
• A protruding upper jaw. The upper incisors stick out well beyond the lower ones and the profile looks receding.
• A heavy chin and protruding lower jaw. The lower teeth overlap the upper ones.
• Deep bite. The upper incisors almost completely cover the lower ones, sometimes injuring the gum.
• Open bite. A gap remains between the upper and lower teeth even when the mouth is closed.
• Crossbite. The jaw shifts to one side and the face is noticeably asymmetric.

What is normal and what is not

Not every feature of a child's teeth is a problem. Gaps between primary teeth at age 4–6 are physiologically normal: the jaw is growing and making room for the larger permanent teeth. A gap between the upper central incisors is acceptable until the permanent canines erupt, at around age 10–11.

Unclear speech is considered age-appropriate until 4–5 years. But if a child over 6 has worked with a speech therapist for more than six months and sound distortions persist, it is worth seeing an orthodontist: the cause may lie in the position of the teeth or tongue or in the structure of the jaws.

Causes of malocclusion

Heredity

The shape and size of the jaws may be inherited from one parent and the size of the teeth from the other. This combination often leaves too little room in the dental arch.

Mouth breathing

With enlarged adenoids or a chronic runny nose, a child gets used to breathing through the mouth. The tongue drops down and stops supporting the upper jaw from the inside, so the jaw narrows and the teeth run out of space.

Harmful habits

Prolonged thumb or pacifier sucking, lip biting, or the habit of resting the cheek on a hand put constant pressure on the teeth and jaws and change their position.

Early loss of primary teeth

If a primary tooth is removed long before its time because of decay or injury, the neighbouring teeth drift into the empty space and the permanent tooth erupts out of line.

Swallowing disorder

With an infantile swallowing pattern, the tongue pushes against the front teeth instead of the palate. Constant pressure produces an open bite.

When to show your child to an orthodontist

Even without complaints, several routine check-ups are recommended:

1. at 5–6 years — an initial assessment of jaw growth and bite development;
2. at 7–8 years — when the front incisors are being replaced;
3. at 10–12 years — before the adolescent growth spurt.

If you notice any of the signs above, do not wait for the routine age; book a consultation.

How a bite is corrected at different ages

The method depends on the child's age and the stage of bite development.

• Functional appliances (ages 3–10) — vestibular plates, trainers, activators. They eliminate harmful habits, train the muscles, and guide jaw growth.
• Mechanical appliances (ages 7–12) — removable plates with screws and springs, fixed expanders to normalise jaw width.
• Braces — from age 12–13, once the permanent teeth have fully erupted.
• Aligners — clear trays, a modern alternative to braces for teenagers over 12–14.

After the examination, an iOrtho orthodontist will tell you whether treatment is needed now or observation is enough, and which appliance suits your child.