Individuals with a healthy bite have teeth that align properly together. However, natural misalignment of the jaws and teeth is a relatively common issue, and this can create a list of problems. Below is a closer look at how a misaligned bite interferes with your health.
What is a misaligned bite exactly?
In terms of oral health, a patient's bite is how the upper and lower teeth come together when the mouth is closed. Therefore, an individual with a misaligned bite may have upper and lower teeth that don't conform to one another when the mouth is closed. Also referred to as malocclusion, a misaligned bite can be mild to moderate or severe. Even though malocclusion is often thought of as simply a cosmetic issue, bite misalignment can actually affect your overall health in quite a few ways. Here are 7 ways it can affect your health:
1. Tooth Damage and Decay
When the teeth do not seat together properly, this can mean they are more at risk of damage due to uneven or abnormal wear. For example, an individual with a cross-bite may sustain more wear to the edge of their lower teeth. Over time, this abnormal wear can heighten the risks of damage and decay.
2. Heightened Risks of Gum Disease
Bite misalignment can actually elevate your risk of gum disease. Gums may be more likely to sustain an injury or undergo unnecessary stress when you chew. This can lead to soft tissue deterioration because of the accumulation of bacteria on the weakened tissues.
3. Jaw or Tooth Pain
Jaw and tooth pain is the most common symptom of bite misalignment. The stress that comes along with working harder to chew can actually wear down the jaws and even lead to loose teeth.
4. Headaches
Pain that radiates from the jaws due to a misaligned bit can actually lead to headaches. This occurs because you have to work harder to chew, so there is more stress on your jaws when you chew your food.
5. Digestion Issues
When your food is not chewed properly, it is more taxing for the digestive system to break it down. Therefore, if the malocclusion is so severe that you don't chew your food well, this can actually lead to a lot of digestive issues, such as constipation, gas, bloating, and even lower energy levels.
6. Low Self-Esteem
Malocclusion can even affect your mental health. Bite misalignment, especially when severe, may cause issues with self-esteem. You may even feel uncomfortable about smiling or feel like you sound strange when you talk.
7. Neck, Shoulder, and Upper-Back Pain
The whole musculoskeletal system is interconnected with a complex series of nerves. Therefore, when your jaws are stressed and achy due to malocclusion, you could easily experience pain in the neck, shoulders, or upper back.
Work with us at Westlake Dental for Help with Bite Misalignment
Even though malocclusion is a common oral health concern, the condition is also highly treatable with the proper orthodontic steps. Do you need help with a misaligned bite? Reach out to us at Westlake Dental Associates to find out how we can help.
