Infantile swallowing is an etiological factor for which malocclusion category?

• A. Class II/1 Angle Malocclusion
• B. Laterodeviation of the lower jaw
• C. Laterognathia of the lower jaw
• D. Deep Occlusion, Traumatic Form

Answer: (A)

Infantile swallowing involves a persistent tongue thrust where the tongue pushes against the front teeth during swallowing (and often at rest). This creates forward pressure on the maxillary incisors, tipping them labially and increasing the overjet. Over time, this pattern aligns with the dental relationship seen in Class II malocclusion, especially Division 1, where the upper front teeth are proclined and sit ahead of the lowers. So, the tongue-thrust habit during growth tends to produce the characteristic forward upper dentition and distal molar relationship that defines Class II/1 Angle malocclusion. The other patterns describe jaw position changes or deep bites that are not as directly tied to the tongue-thrust mechanism.