Misaligned teeth don’t just affect the appearance of your smile; they can have actual
consequences on your health that may only get worse if not corrected. What damage can
misaligned teeth cause?

Erosion of Gum Tissue

Our gums protect our teeth and keep them strong in our jaws. With nearly half of American
adults having some form of gum disease, keeping your gum tissue as healthy as possible is
essential to protecting your teeth.

Misaligned teeth play a role in gum health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) note that crooked teeth can be a risk factor for gum disease, which includes
gum recession [1].

When the teeth don’t align properly, bite force can be unevenly distributed across the teeth
which can lead to excessive stress placed on the gums and alveolar bone, leading to
inflammation and possibly gum recession.

Trouble Chewing Food

Misaligned teeth can also lead to trouble chewing food. With uneven bite pressure, crooked
teeth may not be able to break down food as well as straight teeth before it enters the
stomach, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues.

The American Dental Association acknowledges that crooked teeth may interfere with eating
[2]. This can lead to bloating, gas, cramping, and can even contribute to the development of
stomach ulcers.

Difficulty Cleaning

Crooked teeth are notoriously difficult to clean [3]. When teeth overlap or are crowded
together, it can feel impossible to properly brush and floss your mouth. Misaligned teeth are
often subject to an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay as a result.

If you have misaligned teeth, keeping up with your regular dental appointments is going to be
essential to preventing cavities and periodontal disease which could disrupt your smile.

Headaches

People who suffer from frequent headaches or migraines may have their teeth to blame. When
the teeth don’t come together properly, the jaw may try to compensate for the misaligned bite
which can cause stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The TMJ can be responsible for many issues, including earaches or frequent ear infections,
headaches, and chronic jaw or facial pain. Even neck pain and upper back pain have been linked
to TMJ. Consider an exam with your dentist if you suffer from headaches but haven’t had your
jaw evaluated as the culprit!

Tooth Sensitivity

Uneven wear on crooked teeth can cause tooth sensitivity. When certain teeth are worn down
more than the others, this can lead to exposed dentin, the softer tissue beneath tooth enamel.
Once dentin is exposed, temperature can travel to the nerves at the center of your tooth,
leading to painful tooth sensitivity that can make eating or drinking hot or cold foods
unpleasant at best and excruciating at worst.

Misaligned teeth might not be as easy to spot as you think. For many people, straight teeth
could still mean a misaligned bite. Getting a comprehensive exam with your professional
dentist can tell you if your teeth are misaligned and could be causing dental health problems
you’re not yet aware of!

Sources:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/index.htm
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/teens/concerns
3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/oral-health/are-you-too-old-for-braces

The post Misaligned Teeth Could Be Causing More Damage Than You Think appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Are you suffering from jaw misalignment? If you’re experiencing the following symptoms, your upper and lower jaw might have trouble fitting together. A simple exam and x-rays can tell if your jaw is misaligned and if so, what you can do about it.

Pain in Your Jaw or Face

If you have generalized pain in your jaw or in your face, you may have a jaw misalignment. This pain may happen either when chewing or speaking or even when the jaw is at rest. When the pain consistently happens, it’s time to schedule an appointment to see if your jaw could be the culprit behind your pain.

Mouth Breathing

Saliva is an important aspect of your oral cavity. It helps teeth stay nourished and prevents them from drying out. When the mouth becomes dry, saliva can become acidic and damage the enamel on your teeth, leading to an increased risk for cavities. When you breathe through your mouth rather than through your nose, your mouth can become dry and this can affect your teeth.

Although mouth breathing happens under certain circumstances—such as when you have a cold—regular mouth breathing that occurs on a daily basis may point to a jaw misalignment. Getting this symptom checked out is essential to help your mouth protect your teeth from future problems.

Trouble Speaking

If it’s painful for you to speak at times or consistently, a jaw misalignment may be to blame. You may also be experiencing difficulty pronouncing certain words. These symptoms could mean your jaw is preventing you from speaking properly or being able to speak without pain. It isn’t normal to experience pain when speaking, so an evaluation with your dentist can help determine the problem.

What Treatment Is Available?

Many people have a jaw misalignment and don’t realize it. Overbites and underbites are two of the most common types of malocclusions, or misaligned bites. As we’ve seen, these bites can interfere with many aspects of your life, including eating, breathing, speaking, chewing, and self-confidence.

Fortunately, misaligned jaws can be treated. Depending on the unique alignment of your jaw as well as the severity of the misalignment, you may be able to receive orthodontic treatment, cosmetic dentistry work, or other procedures to help put your jaw back in place and stop your pain and discomfort.

Are you seeing symptoms of jaw misalignment in your daily life? An incorrect bite can be fixed, so schedule an appointment with your dentist or orthodontist today to discuss how a jaw misalignment may be impacting your life. You can live pain-free and have confidence in your smile again with treatment!

The post If You’re Experiencing These Symptoms, You Could Be Suffering from Jaw Misalignment appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.