Infants with pseudo-overbite do not need treatment

It is easy for children to develop a false overbite, which does not require treatment. We know that the normal occlusion relationship between the upper and lower teeth is that the upper incisors cover the lower incisors, while in an overbite the lower incisors are outside the upper incisors. This is called a crossbite. For children, the occlusion relationship is not particularly stable and is not fully established, so it is easy for the illusion of an overbite to occur. However, in daily life, parents should also educate their children to avoid the occurrence of a real overbite.

Pseudo-overbite in infants does not require treatment

During infancy, the glenoid cavity of the temporomandibular joint is relatively shallow, allowing the mandible to move within a wide range of motion. Infants and young children usually have their lower canines erupt first, so babies are more accustomed to biting with their lower teeth extended forward. As the teeth erupt and the chewing function develops, the height of the temporomandibular joint socket gradually increases, and the range of motion of the mandible decreases accordingly. At around two and a half years old, when all the deciduous teeth have erupted, the occlusion relationship is gradually established and the mandibular protrusion phenomenon will gradually disappear.

Before the baby is two years old, the occlusion relationship has not been fully established, and the appearance of overbite is normal, and parents do not need to worry too much. If all the deciduous teeth have erupted after the age of three and the lower jaw is protruding, this is a bad habit and needs to be corrected in time.

Most cases of overbite are caused by improper feeding methods and bad habits.

When breastfeeding, the mother's arm holding the baby's head is too low, causing the baby to have to raise his lower jaw hard to suck the nipple. This wrong posture may cause the baby's upper and lower jaw joints to be dislocated, resulting in the baby's "overbite". No matter what breastfeeding position is adopted, the mother must ensure that the baby's upper and lower lips are gently turned out to cover the mother's areola.

During bottle-feeding, if the baby's head is too low and the bottle is tilted too forward, the baby may have to lift his lower jaw to hold the nipple. This incorrect posture may also cause dislocation of the upper and lower jaw joints, resulting in an "overbite".

The baby lies in bed for a long time to feed himself. In order to suck milk more easily, the baby holds the bottle upright. This will easily cause the baby to lift his lower jaw to drink milk. Over time, it may also cause the baby's upper and lower jaws to protrude, resulting in an "overbite".

Long-term improper use of pacifiers:

Pacifiers are mainly used when the mother is unable to provide nipples to comfort the baby due to various conditions. The baby can get comfort by sucking the pacifier. It is an auxiliary product for parents to raise their children rather than a substitute for parents. There are strict restrictions on the use of pacifiers. Many mothers use pacifiers on their babies at will and for a long time, which may affect the baby's jaw and tooth development and lead to the "overbite" phenomenon.

Chronic thumb sucking:

We often see babies over 2 years old sucking their thumbs or index fingers all day long. Parents mistakenly believe that their babies are still in the oral stage and do not provide any guidance or intervention.

Chronic upper lip biting:

If your baby bites his upper lip occasionally, you don't need to worry, but if your baby often bites his upper lip when playing, you should correct his inappropriate behavior in time. Giving him a suitable object to suck or bite is a very effective way.