What Is a Bad Bite (Malocclusion) and Why Does It Matter
You may think a strong bite is only essential to help you flash the perfect smile. However, it’s also a critical component of your overall oral health. Improper alignment between your teeth is known as malocclusion or a bad bite. While this can seem like a cosmetic problem at first, it can cause a host of other issues down the road if not treated. Keep reading to learn what malocclusion is and why you should care.
What Is Malocclusion?
Malocclusion is a misalignment between your upper and lower teeth. It can be very minor or severe enough that you may notice problems with both function and appearance. Some people are lucky enough to have mild cases that don’t affect their day-to-day life. But if you have a more serious case of malocclusion, you may experience issues when eating or speaking.
Types of Malocclusion
There are several common types of bad bites:
- Overbite – upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much
- Underbite – lower teeth stick forward past the upper teeth, causing the jaw to look like it’s sticking forward.
- Crossbite – Upper teeth bite inside lower teeth.
- Open bite – the front teeth don’t meet at all when the mouth is closed.
- Crowding – teeth may overlap, twist, or become uneven because there isn’t enough space in the jaw.
Causes of a Bad Bite
Bad bite can occur because of many reasons, including:
- Genetics: Sometimes genes play a role in the size of your jaws and the positioning of your teeth.
- Childhood Habits: Extended sucking of thumbs, pacifier, finger or tongue thrusting may misalign your bite.
- Trauma or Injury: If you suffer any facial trauma or injury that affects your teeth, it can lead to malocclusion.
- Medical Condition: Certain conditions, like cleft palate or developmental disorders, may lead to this.
- Early Loss of Baby Teeth: When baby teeth are lost prematurely, other teeth can shift to fill the spaces.
Why a Bad Bite Matters
Poor dental alignment doesn’t just affect how you look. A bad bite can cause difficulty chewing and speaking. Uneven pressure on teeth can cause excess wear or sensitivity. Teeth can even become fractured. Strain on your jaw may lead to pain or TMJ disorders over time. Crooked or crowded teeth can also be difficult to clean. This can cause gum disease and tooth decay. Your smile can affect your self-confidence as well as how you treat others.
How Orthodontics Can Help
Today, there are several options for treating malocclusion. Treatment may include:
- Traditional metal or ceramic braces: Apply steady pressure to slowly move teeth.
- Clear aligners: Clear, removable trays that adjust your bite.
- Retainers: Often used after treatment to ensure your teeth don’t move.
- Surgery: Severe cases may require surgery.
Preventing and Managing a Bad Bite
Although many factors that lead to a bad bite, such as genetics, are unavoidable, there are steps you can take to help prevent one or lessen its effects. Preventing your children from sucking their thumbs past a young
age and ensuring they go to the dentist regularly. Regular dental checkups allow professionals to monitor tooth development and catch potential problems early. In fact, many orthodontists suggest visiting them for a first consultation around age seven. Catching an orthodontic problem early can make treating it much easier.
Your bite influences more than just the way you look. If left untreated, a bad bite can impact your oral health, comfort, and self-esteem for years to come. However, since there are many options for orthodontic treatment today and most orthodontic problems can be caught early, you can overcome malocclusion and keep your smile shining bright. The earlier you catch your orthodontic problem, the better.