Different Types of Crossbite Causes Symptoms and Treatment Tips for Children

February 08, 2025, Dr. Firas Hamzeh

Is your kid facing crossbite issues? Is your child facing trouble with a perfect smile? Crossbite is a kind of dental problem, also called malocclusion, which means that your child’s teeth are not aligned properly. It is also said to be a “poor bite” or “bad bite.” In this condition, your child’s upper teeth do not fit properly with your child’s lower teeth when you close your mouth. It has been commonly seen since childhood. The great thing is it can be treated!

Here, you will get to know about the causes of this problem and what the possible solutions for it are. Let’s have a look at it!

Two Kinds of Crossbite:

In cases of crossbites in children, there are two variations in the malocclusion. Here is how:

1. Anterior Crossbite: This type of crossbite is also called an underbite. Here, the upper front teeth of the children surpass the lower front teeth.
2. Posterior Crossbite: It is the condition of crossbite where the child’s lower back teeth surpass the front back teeth.

Symptoms of Crossbite:

The problem with closing the mouth properly

• Unable to speak properly
• Intolerable Headaches 
• Severe pain in a specific tooth
• Jaw pain
• Biting the lips frequently while eating
• Loose teeth
• Receding gums expose the roots of your teeth.
• Cavities can be another symptom of crossbite.
• Jaw growth can also be uneven.
• Shifting the jaw to one side
• TMJ disorders

Why Crossbite Is Common Among Children

You can find various causes behind the problem of crossbite: 

• The habit of finger or thumb sucking can push teeth forth.
• The habit of pushing the teeth forward with the help of the tongue while resting, speaking, or swallowing. It is also known as tongue thrust.
• A small jaw can be a possible reason for this, as it cannot fit all your teeth together.
• The size of teeth may be too big and cannot fit properly in alignment.
• A cleft palate, where a baby cannot close its mouth properly
• Genetics can also be the major reason for crossbite, which may be passed from the genes of parents. 
• The excessive use of bottles or pacifiers in infancy.
• The habit of chewing in a bad way.
• Jawbone injury in infancy.
• The falling of the teeth of the baby gets delayed.
• The breaking of baby teeth early due to some injury.
• A cleft lip is a condition when an infant can’t close its upper lip properly.
• Breathing from the mouth instead of the nose.

How To Solve The Problems Of Crossbite Through Orthodontic Treatment For Children?

• Palate Expander: It can help you extend the upper palate of your child’s mouth. It helps in raising your child’s upper jaw so the upper teeth can fit perfectly with the lower teeth. This is the best solution for crossbite.
• Braces treatment: It is a worthwhile treatment for your child, who is suffering from crossbite. Braces help in aligning the position of the upper teeth of your child. The braces treatment has been possible since the age of seven.
• Removable Appliances: Your orthodontist can fix your upper teeth with a spring using a removable appliance. This puts pressure on and moves forward your child’s teeth. This will help those children who are at a young age.
• Clear Aligners: These are the kind of plastic braces that are removable. They may help in aligning your child’s teeth.
• Fixed Palatal Crib: This will get rid of the habit of your child of thumb or finger sucking.

Bottom Line

A crossbite can be a serious problem if not cured at an early age. It may cause various jaw problems, which will affect your child’s facial features in adulthood. At a younger age, the jaws of your child are in the growing and developing phase, so it is important time to get orthodontist treatment for children. So, you should treat this as soon as possible so your child will make a future with a smiling face.

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