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  • Correcting Open Bites and Dental Alignment Issues in Children

What Is an Open Bite and How Does It Affect Your Child?

Defining Open Bites

An open bite is a type of malocclusion where the upper and lower teeth do not touch or overlap when the mouth is closed, leaving a visible gap. This can occur in the front of the mouth, known as an anterior open bite, or in the back, referred to as a posterior open bite. Anterior open bites are more common and are often characterised by a vertical gap between the upper and lower front teeth. This condition can arise due to several factors, including prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, or skeletal growth patterns. In more severe cases, an open bite can extend to the molars or other teeth, leading to broader dental and facial complications.
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What Is an Open Bite and How Does It Affect Your Child?

Defining Open Bites

An open bite is a type of malocclusion where the upper and lower teeth do not touch or overlap when the mouth is closed, leaving a visible gap. This can occur in the front of the mouth, known as an anterior open bite, or in the back, referred to as a posterior open bite. Anterior open bites are more common and are often characterised by a vertical gap between the upper and lower front teeth. This condition can arise due to several factors, including prolonged thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, mouth breathing, or skeletal growth patterns. In more severe cases, an open bite can extend to the molars or other teeth, leading to broader dental and facial complications.

Symptoms and Signs to Watch

Recognising the symptoms of an open bite is crucial for early intervention. Common signs include difficulty biting or chewing food, an inability to close the lips fully without strain, speech difficulties such as lisping or unclear pronunciation, and visible gaps between the teeth when the mouth is at rest. Children with open bites may also exhibit frequent mouth breathing, as the improper alignment can affect the airway, leading to disrupted sleep or snoring. Parents may notice their child has an altered facial appearance, such as a longer face or a recessed chin. If any of these symptoms are present, it’s essential to consult with a dental professional or osteopath to evaluate the need for corrective treatment.

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Common Causes of Open Bites in Children

Understanding the Role of Oral Habits

Oral habits like thumb sucking, pacifier use, and tongue thrusting are among the most common causes of open bites in children. Thumb sucking or prolonged use of a pacifier exerts continuous pressure on the teeth and jaw, pushing the upper front teeth outward and preventing them from meeting the lower teeth properly. Similarly, tongue thrusting – a condition where the tongue pushes against the front teeth during swallowing or at rest – can force the teeth out of alignment, creating or worsening an open bite. These habits can persist beyond early childhood, becoming ingrained behaviours that require targeted intervention to correct.

Skeletal and Genetic Factors

Some open bites are related to the natural growth patterns of the child’s facial bones. Genetic predispositions can cause the upper and lower jaws to grow at different rates or directions, leading to a misalignment where the teeth do not meet properly. Conditions like an elongated face or a discrepancy in jaw size (maxillary or mandibular discrepancies) can contribute to the development of an open bite. If a parent or close relative had an open bite or other significant dental issues, the child might be more likely to develop similar problems. Early assessment and monitoring of a child’s dental development can help identify these risk factors and guide appropriate treatment options.

Impact of Airway and Respiratory Issues

Airway problems, such as enlarged tonsils, adenoids, or chronic nasal congestion, can contribute to the development of an open bite. When a child cannot breathe comfortably through their nose, they may resort to mouth breathing, which affects the growth and alignment of the jaw and teeth. Mouth breathing can cause the tongue to rest lower in the mouth, reducing its normal pressure on the palate and upper teeth, leading to an open bite. Addressing these underlying airway issues is crucial for preventing the progression of the condition and supporting overall oral health.

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Why Early Intervention Matters for Children Under 8

Advantages of Early Treatment

Treating an open bite early, especially in children under 8, can prevent more severe dental issues and facial deformities as they grow. At this young age, a child’s bones are still developing and are more malleable, making it easier to correct alignment issues with less invasive treatments. Early intervention can reduce the need for extensive orthodontic work, such as braces or surgery, later in life. It also helps ensure the child can chew and speak properly, breathe through their nose, and develop a healthy, balanced facial structure. Early treatment can include behavioural modifications, myofunctional therapy, or dental appliances designed to guide proper growth.

Preventing Future Dental and Health Issues

An untreated open bite can lead to a range of complications beyond just cosmetic concerns. It can cause difficulty chewing and biting, resulting in improper digestion or nutritional deficiencies. Speech issues, such as lisps or difficulty pronouncing certain sounds, can affect a child’s communication skills and confidence. Open bites can also contribute to temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems, where misalignment of the jaw causes pain, headaches, and difficulty opening or closing the mouth. Early intervention can help prevent these complications and ensure a healthier future for your child.

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Treatment Options for Open Bites at Key Osteopaths

Myofunctional Therapy

Myofunctional therapy focuses on retraining the muscles of the mouth, tongue, and face to function correctly. It is particularly effective for correcting open bites caused by habits like tongue thrusting or mouth breathing. This therapy involves a series of exercises designed to strengthen the tongue and facial muscles, promote nasal breathing, and encourage proper swallowing patterns. For children, myofunctional therapy can be an effective, non-invasive approach to correcting open bites, often in conjunction with other treatments like orthodontic appliances.

Orthodontic Appliances and Devices

For more pronounced cases of open bites, orthodontic treatments may be necessary. These can include braces, which gradually move the teeth into their correct positions, or other devices such as palatal expanders or bite blocks that encourage the proper growth and alignment of the jaw. In some cases, temporary anchorage devices (TADs) may be used to provide additional stability during treatment. The goal of these appliances is to align the teeth correctly and prevent further complications.

Additional Treatment Approaches

Depending on the cause and severity of the open bite, additional treatments may be recommended. These could include speech therapy to address any related speech issues, or breathing exercises and nasal decongestion techniques to improve airway function. For children with severe skeletal discrepancies, surgical intervention might be considered, although this is generally reserved for cases where other treatments have not been effective. At Key Osteopaths, we provide a comprehensive assessment to determine the most suitable approach for your child, ensuring that all underlying issues are addressed.
Anna van Piggelen Osteopath Myofunctional Therapist in Surrey v2

Anna van Piggelen

Osteopath & Myofunctional Therapist in Surrey
With a deep commitment to patient care, Anna van Piggelen brings expertise in both osteopathy and myofunctional therapy, helping individuals improve their health and well-being.
Graduating in Osteopathy from the University College of Osteopathy in 2010, Anna later pursued specialised training in myofunctional therapy with the Academy of Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy and advanced studies with the Airway Circle.
Anna’s approach is deeply personal—having undergone palate expansion and myofunctional therapy herself to address childhood thumb-sucking-related jaw and ENT issues, she understands the challenges firsthand. This fuels her dedication to supporting both children and adults facing airway concerns.
She collaborates closely with ENT consultants, dentists, and orthodontists, ensuring each patient receives the right care at the right time. Myofunctional therapy may not always be the immediate solution, but it can play a crucial role later in treatment.
Beyond myofunctional therapy, Anna integrates osteopathy to provide structural, hands-on support, assisting with posture correction and tightness. She uses cranial osteopath in coordination with other specialists to aid orthodontic care and frenulum releases, ensuring comprehensive and collaborative treatment tailored to individual needs.
“Concerned about your child’s teeth alignment? Schedule a consultation with our experts today to learn about the best treatment options for correcting open bites and promoting healthy development.”
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