The Pacifier teeth are an orthodontic problem resulting from extensive sucking of the thumb or pacifier. This problem develops among kids who have started to lose their baby teeth and are now getting new teeth in place of them. If a child has an extensive habit of sucking their thumb, then the child is more likely to develop the problem.
During this issue, the child’s newly growing teeth protrude outwards. Additional problems include difficulty closing lips along with the mouth opening involuntarily. In extreme cases, these issues may also cause difficulty in speaking and eating. In some cases, it also causes the child to snore due to an open mouth while sleeping. The biggest disadvantage of pacifier teeth is psychological. A child with a problem stands out and can be alienated by the other kids. This difference in treatment causes the child to feel socially awkward and anxious. Therefore pacifier teeth are a real problem. Luckily there are ways to fix it through cosmetic dentistry.
Types of Pacifier Teeth
Overbite (Buck Teeth)
Overbite occurs when your upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. This condition is called buck teeth and is the most common form of orthodontics problem. In most cases, you will see that a child’s upper teeth not only overlap the lower teeth, but the protrusion is consistently visible. The child may be unable to close their mouth and may have difficulty chewing food.
Underbite
An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. In this case, the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. This condition is rare and is caused by extreme neglect. The child may be unable to close the mouth and constantly drool because of the deformed teeth. This problem occurs when the lower teeth protrude outwards, or the upper teeth grow inwards.
Open bite (Binky Teeth)
This condition is also known as binky teeth. In an open bite, both upper and lower teeth protrude outwards, leaving a gap at the front of the child’s bite. This condition will cause difficulty eating and occasional pain. If the child bites from the front, the more pressure is on the front teeth, the worse the condition will get.
How to Fix Pacifier Teeth
Braces
Braces are a common way to fix pacifier teeth. It is the most common procedure for fixing any orthodontics problem.
Invisalign
Invisalign is an alternative to braces and is great for non-severe cases of out-of-alignment teeth. Invisalign is great for people with social anxiety regarding their appearance, as Invisalign is transparent and hard to detect.
Veneers
A veneer is a good option if the teeth are too heavily deformed due to realignment and damage. This permanent solution can give someone’s teeth a completely new and natural look.