A Bad Bite Can Impact Your Smile — Here's Why
A properly aligned bite makes it easier to clean your teeth more effectively and helps prevent gum disease, tooth decay and other oral health problems. A good bite is characterized by the upper teeth slightly overlapping the lower teeth. A poor bite also referred to as malocclusion, is a condition where the teeth are misaligned when the jaws close.
If your teeth are not aligned properly, it can be quite noticeable. Others have twisted or crooked smiles because of their teeth. A misaligned bite depends on the severity of the issue and it not only affects your physical appearance. Some people suffer from pain and discomfort because of a misaligned bite. An uneven bite is a common problem, but it needs to be fixed quickly to prevent worsening symptoms later on. A misaligned bite also increases the risk of tooth decay and may even result in tooth loss.
It’s time to identify the underlying cause of your bite problems so you can begin to find a solution. The good news is–you can correct bite problems without undergoing surgery.
Signs of an uneven bite
Many people live with a slightly misaligned bite even though they experience relatively few issues. Yet it is in your best interest to recognize the signs that you need treatment. Here are a few signs and symptoms to watch out for:
An uneven bite can lead to teeth grinding or jaw clenching during sleep. This results from your teeth not being able to properly fit together. Your jaw muscles try to make up for the misalignment by grating against one another to fit together naturally. The enamel on the teeth is gradually worn away by grinding and clenching, which is very detrimental to the health of your teeth.
- TMJ
TMJ, also known as TMJ disorder, is a degenerative condition that can lead to pain and discomfort in the jaw. Your jaw muscles have to work harder to compensate for the uneven bite, which can cause strain and tension while chewing or talking. A common cause of the condition is an unbalanced jaw, which in turn is the result of an unbalanced bite. The excruciating pain disrupts daily activities and causes frequent discomfort. If you experience pain, stiffness, or muscle straining in your jaw, you may have a TMJ disorder.
- Headaches
If you have frequent headaches, especially on one side of your head, it may be because of your uneven bite. The strain in your facial and head muscles as a result of an imbalance in the jaw and muscle joints is the primary cause of your headaches. Your teeth and jaw won’t be able to function as they were intended to when your bite is out of alignment. This means that over time, you are taxing your jaw muscles uncontrollably, which leads to chronic headaches.
- Loose or weak dental device
Fillings, caps and crowns may become loose over time if teeth are not properly aligned due to the repeated movements involved in chewing and speaking. As a result, tooth decay can slowly develop in the teeth that you may have thought were protected by prior treatment. Cavities and even tooth loss become a serious issue when dental work becomes loose or small cracks or fissures form due to the impact of misaligned tooth surfaces rubbing against one another.
- Tooth sensitivity or uneven wear
An uneven bite can result in wear and tear on the tooth surface, as well as pressures that cause existing dental work to fail. Enamel begins to wear down faster in these places, thus causing sensitivity. Additionally, eroded enamel can make the teeth underneath more vulnerable to decay.
Why treat a bad bite or misaligned jaw
Properly aligned teeth aren’t just for vanity. To achieve a healthy bite, your teeth should slightly overlap your lower teeth and the points of your molars fit snugly into the grooves on the other side.
There are several reasons why an uneven bite should be treated as soon as possible. The sooner the problem is addressed, the better the result.
While the alignment of the lower teeth is necessary to guard against biting the tongue, the alignment of the upper teeth is necessary to avoid biting the cheeks and lips. It improves the function and longevity of your teeth when your jaws and teeth are aligned properly–and it can also lessen your headaches.
Although not life-threatening, a bad bite can cause pain and inconvenience to the health of your teeth. It can also lead to multiple long-term issues, like cracked teeth brought on by an unbalanced jaw. If you’re thinking about getting implants, crowns or veneers for cosmetic reasons, it can also affect your ability to wear them.
Conclusion
Bite correction plays an important role in achieving optimum health, but few people think about doing so before other dental work is required. When the upper and lower teeth don’t fit properly, it can cause neuromuscular tension in the head and neck, causing pain and discomfort.
Treatment for a misaligned bite can be simple and often involves the use of a standard retainer. However, in some cases, clear retainers will be necessary to rectify the problem. ClearClub’s clear retainers will straighten your teeth while fixing your crossbites, open bites, overbites and underbites.
To treat alignment issues, dentists often prescribe night guards that gently shift the jaw into a more natural and comfortable position. A custom-fit nightguard that adapts to the precise alignment and contours of your teeth can absorb the pressures that cause tooth damage associated with misaligned teeth. Custom night guards are worn every night to treat bruxism and TMJ. Additionally, they can avoid any jaw slippage that can cause sleep apnea. Made from durable materials, night guards are custom fitted for comfort and they are also very easy to maintain.
Treating a bad bite and understanding what your best options are can help you feel good about your appearance and overall well-being. Find a solution today that can save not only your teeth but your time and money. The result is a smile that looks great and works properly!