Buck Teeth in Children: From Causes to Treatment

Buck teeth are one of the most common dental occurrences in children. In this condition, the upper set of front teeth horizontally overlaps the lower ones. It is essential to consult an orthodontist at the earliest to figure out an effective buck teeth correction procedure to protect your child from other issues that arise. This article will help you learn the causes of buck teeth in children and also understand the ways you can get them fixed.

Causes of Buck Teeth in Kids:

• Thumb Sucking and Pacifier

Buck teeth from thumb sucking and continuous use of a pacifier can cause changes in the roof of the mouth. They push the front teeth further away from their natural alignment. If prolonged, to an age when your children are getting their permanent set of teeth, these will most likely lead to buck teeth. Children’s teeth can be easily modified and moved at this age.

• Uneven Jaw Size

An imbalanced growth of the upper jaw due to a skeletal discrepancy could be another reason for buck teeth. In this, the sizes of the two jaws could be different, or they could have difficulty reaching each other. An uneven jaw placement leads to misalignment of your child’s teeth resulting in buck teeth.

• Genetics

Yes, it is highly likely that your child got buck teeth from you, their siblings, or other relatives in the bloodline. Bone formation is often due to hereditary or ethnic factors, and these traits often run in families. For instance, there are cases wherein the bone which supports the upper set of teeth of a child may be at a protruding angle by birth. That could induce the upper teeth to grow outwards too.

• Tongue Thrusting

An abnormal movement of the tongue and jaw, practiced when swallowing or chewing, cause buck teeth in children. Often people ignore this habit, but unconscious pushing of the tongue onto the front teeth causes dental problems such as buck teeth. It leads to a condition of an abnormal swallow.

Treatments for Buck Teeth:

• Braces

Braces are a traditional method of treating teeth that extend out. The metal caps and wires force them to move closer in alignment with the lower jaw. Depending on your child’s preference, you can either go for the metal, ceramic or clear braces option.

• Palate Expansion

A significant benefit of receiving orthodontic treatment for buck teeth in childhood is that it is easier to take advantage of a youngster’s natural growth. A palatal expander is a device designed to help with this. It helps to create more space in a child’s mouth by gradually widening the upper jaw.

• Invisalign

These are a series of clear plastic aligners made using a 3-D map of your child’s teeth. Upon regular wearing, they work in the same manner as metal braces. One of the many advantages of these clear aligners is that they are removable, which facilitates hassle-free brushing and oral care.

If you see the symptoms of buck teeth in your child, you should seek a correction treatment, on an immediate basis. If contemplated for too long, it can lead to poor dental form for your child and become an expensive affair in their adulthood. Visit an orthodontist soon and gift your child their optimum oral health.

Guest Contributor: Sharon William

Sharon William’s day job is to handle digital marketing for Koch Orthodontics in Loganville, GA. With a flair for creating compelling content that clears the clutter and connects with the audience in an instant, she writes about dental topics to educate and help her readers. She truly believes that a genuine smile can win a million hearts and talks to her readers about improving their smiles and overall dental health, as well as enhancing their overall lifestyle. In her free time, she likes to organize small meets in her neighborhood where she brings people together to discuss various topics that she writes about.