Proper Bite Development in Childhood

A proper bite does not develop in adulthood, but from the first days of a child’s life. It is during childhood that the jaws, tooth alignment, and even facial features begin to develop. That is why preventing orthodontic problems is much easier than undergoing lengthy treatment in the future. A bite is the way the upper and lower teeth come together. When this process is disrupted, it can lead not only to aesthetic concerns but also to functional problems with chewing, breathing, and speech.

Stages of Bite Development

The main stages of bite development:

1. 0–3 years: the period of active eruption of baby teeth.
2. 3–6 years: development of the primary bite.
3. 6–12 years: the transition from baby teeth to permanent teeth and the most active period of jaw growth.
4. After age 12: formation of the permanent bite.

At each stage, especially starting from the second one, it is advisable to visit a pediatric dentist at least once.

Main Factors in the Formation of a Proper Bite

To support proper bite development from an early age, it is important to follow these recommendations:

• proper latching during breastfeeding, which naturally trains the facial muscles;
• use of orthodontic bottles and pacifiers;
• timely transition to solid foods, including the BLW method, or baby-led weaning with small pieces of food;
• nasal breathing;
• eating solid foods to help develop the jaw and TMJ properly;
• monitoring the child’s habits: lip biting, bruxism, and nail biting;
• visiting an otolaryngologist: removal of adenoids and treatment of sinusitis and rhinitis.

Why Treat Baby Teeth If They Will Fall Out Anyway?

This is one of the biggest misconceptions! Baby teeth prepare the jaw for the eruption of permanent teeth. If tooth decay in baby teeth is left untreated for a long time, the tooth may have to be removed prematurely. As a result, neighboring teeth shift, and when the permanent tooth erupts, it erupts in the wrong position, which later has to be corrected with lengthy treatment.

Treatment Methods for Bite Problems:

• braces;
• retainers;
• removable orthodontic plates: help teeth erupt properly during the formation of the dental arch;
• functional orthodontic appliances: used to relieve stress on the TMJ and train the chewing muscles.

Dentists recommend that children have preventive checkups with a pediatric orthodontist as early as age 3–4. The orthodontist can assess facial symmetry, the function of the chewing muscles, the overall clinical condition, and identify harmful habits in the child in order to prevent bite problems and correct them in a timely manner, even before baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth. Preventive checkups with a pediatric dentist are recommended for babies as soon as the first tooth appears, because proper hygiene, healthy eating, and good habits begin to form from birth.