Is Your Bite Right?
When you visit our office for an evaluation, one of the areas that we inspect is your bite, or the way the upper and lower teeth come together when you close your mouth. If your bite is off, it can affect the way you eat, speak, and even swallow. Over time, bite issues can lead to further complications with your oral health. While each bite problem is unique, we want to share more information about common bite problems. Read on for more information.
Crowding
When there is not enough space for the teeth to fit comfortably in your mouth, you may see crowding, where teeth become crooked, rotated, staggered or overlapped. Teeth in these positions can be difficult to clean, leading to increased levels of decay and possibly gum disease.
Spacing
This is when there are large gaps between teeth, and it can be caused by small teeth, a large jaw, or missing teeth.
Open Bite
An open bite is when the teeth are touching in the back of the mouth but the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap. This can occur due to thumbsucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing.
Protrusion
This is when the upper teeth and jaw stick out much further than the lower jaw or grow in at an angle. Without treatment, it can be difficult to comfortably close your mouth.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth. It can involve one tooth or multiple teeth and can include the front and back teeth. There are different forms of crossbite, such as a posterior crossbite, which affects the back teeth, and an anterior crossbite, which affects the front teeth. If not corrected, it can lead to issues with the jaw as well as increase the likelihood of the tooth enamel wearing down.
Underbite
This usually involves a misalignment of the jaw where the lower jaw sits in front of the upper jaw. An underbite can cause extreme stress on the jaw joints and facial muscles.
Deep Bite
When the teeth are closed and the upper teeth cover the bottom teeth too much, it is known as a deep bite.
If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with one of the bite problems mentioned above and have any questions about the treatment recommended or you are ready to start the treatment process, be sure to contact our office located in Southfield, MI today. Our team would love to help you!
