Side Effects of a Misaligned Bite
An incorrect dental bite may lead to TMJ Disorder
When the lower and upper set of teeth don’t fit together, teeth grinding and jaw clenching are triggered. And these habits, in the long run, can cause TemporomandibularJoint Disorder (TMJ disorder). A joint that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of the skull is called a temporomandibular joint. And problems such as misaligned teeth that cause incorrect dental bite can end up inflating this joint. As a result, you may experience symptoms such as:
- Pain in and around the ear
- Facial pain
- Stiff jaw
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing
- Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
It can cause gum disease
Food easily gets trapped between crowded and overlapping teeth. And the minute particles left behind cause bacteria build-up and plaque, which poses a severe risk to oral health and may even cause gum disease called Periodontitis. This severe gum infection starts with gingivitis with symptoms such as bad breath and itchy, swollen, and bleeding gums. And if left untreated, it may lead to Periodontitis, which is associated with receding gums, jaw bone loss, and tooth loss. So, if you see the slightest signs of gum disease, do not postpone dental malocclusion treatment.
It causes chronic migraine
In case of malocclusion of teeth, the upper and lower bites do not line properly on closing the mouth. And this can cause severe headaches and migraines. It may also lead to frequent or consistent pain in the neck and jaw as well.
It damages dentures
For people who require dentures, a bad bite can create problems. Due to jaw misalignment, dentures can rub against the alveolar ridge, which results in sores and loose-fitting of the dentures. Moreover, an incorrect bite often causes tooth decay up to the point where patients require crowns or dental bridges. But because of the misaligned jaw, these may get damaged too. Therefore, you may need to first fix underbite or overbite.
It causes speech problems
People with misaligned teeth often struggle with speech problems, such as slurred speech, because of an overbite or underbite depending on the overlap of upper and lower teeth. And this can impact your personality and confidence. If you go for bite correction, you will not only see a difference in your speech, but you will also notice a boost in your confidence because of the magical improvement in your smile.
It can decrease the life of your teeth
Teeth are made to endure wear and tear and last your lifetime. But dental malocclusion or misaligned teeth can cause uneven wear and tear. As a result, your teeth may age faster than you. You may experience dental problems such as sensitivity, pain in teeth, tooth enamel damage, etc. And all of these problems increase the risk of tooth loss. But after proper teeth alignment treatment, you can fight these problems simply by following a good oral care routine.
Do not postpone your million-dollar smile. Schedule a free consult with the professionals at Koch Orthodontics and find out the ideal malocclusion treatment for yourself.
