You may not know why people develop a bad bite. Ultimately, there is a close relationship between dental alignment, and something you might be sure of is that a dentist is going to say dental health is paramount for your kid’s overall development, but the thing is, it’s true. Dental and oral health has a crucial role, especially during infancy. Dentofacial structures and teeth participate in everyday activities such as eating and speaking.
You have surely heard oral hygiene is the key to good dental health; this is also very true. Crowded or crooked teeth create nooks perfect for bacteria and food particles, making the hygiene process difficult. Being able to brush your teeth correctly requires straight teeth.
Sturbridge Orthodontic treatments such as braces or clear aligners ensure more than a beautiful smile; they achieve a healthy mouth. Without good oral hygiene, tooth decay represents only a part of the risk. Tooth loss due to cavities, intense pain, and severe infections are common consequences.
Bad bites can lead to headaches and mandible pain due to the position of your teeth when your mouth is closed. The term “bad bite” is not clear enough. Let’s review what it means so you know for sure.
What Is a Bad Bite?
Orthodontists and dental experts refer to misalignment problems with the name malocclusions. Malocclusion is the technical term for a bad bite. There are different classes of malocclusions and various levels.
You have a malocclusion type when your teeth don’t sit in the correct position. In most cases, if a tooth is crooked in the upper jaw, it affects your lower jaw, causing an impact or for the whole mandible to sit in a different position, hence the term malocclusion.
The name “bad bite” could refer to the way this condition affects the bite in its function and appearance. Since there are levels of teeth misalignment, some patients need mandatory treatment while others don’t.
If the situation is detected early, patients can avoid the development of malocclusions in specific cases.
What Causes a Bad Bite (Malocclusion)?
The causes of teeth misalignment are diverse. Some classes of malocclusion result from bad oral habits from an early age, and others manifest due to genetic factors. Once the issue is causing problems in the patient’s life, orthodontic treatment is the only way out, regardless of the origin.
Thumb-Sucking and Tongue-Thrusting
Oral fixation habits have an important role to play in the alignment of your teeth. Until kids are two years old, oral habits like thumb-sucking or sleeping with pacifiers won’t necessarily be a problem. However, they can become an issue after they are three years old.
The thing with thumb-sucking, tongue-thrusting, and pacifiers is they can alter the palate and jaw structures. The prolongation of bad oral habits can cause an overbite or open bite.
Tongue-thrusting is a little different since doctors can point to a cause. It’s normal in toddlers of a certain age, but older kids should not have this issue. The problem of tongue-thrusting is related to the jaw structure and teeth and not so much to crooked or crowded smiles.
Genetics and Other Causes
For some patients, the origin of their malocclusion problems is not in their oral habits but in genetic factors. Underbite cases are usually inherited and less common than overbites.
With early orthodontic examination, orthodontists can diagnose preventative treatment to avoid the development of malocclusions like underbites and crowding.
Tooth loss at an early age can lead to alignment issues such as crooked teeth and spacing problems. When a child’s jaw or mandible is too small, the eruption of permanent teeth can end in crowded smiles (bad bite/malocclusion).
Taking care of baby teeth is highly important because they have an impact on a child’s permanent teeth.
What Is a Deep Bite?
In dental jargon, a deep bite is an overbite. When the upper teeth sit too distant from the lower teeth, partially or entirely covering the bottom teeth, that is a deep bite.
Genetics, but more often oral habits, cause overbites. A deep bite can transform dentofacial structures and become an esthetic problem as well; even the nose can change its appearance due to severe overbites.
Sturbridge Orthodontic treatment is the best way to correct this problem. However, severe overbites can forever alter the facial structure. The teeth will look good after traditional metal braces or Invisalign treatment, but the nose and mandible bone may not return to their original place and shape. Here is when preventative orthodontics can save you lots of time and money.
Kids Invisalign treatment is usually the best course of action in case of a deep bite. Since every patient has particular needs, metal braces represent another effective alternative.
Sturbridge kids Invisalign treatment and Sturbridge metal braces count with state-of-the-art technology and techniques in Sturbridge, Massachusetts.
Why Is It Important to Treat a Deep Bite?
The first thing a patient of teeth malocclusion notices is the alterations in the appearance of their teeth and face. But this is just the tip of the problem; complex dental and oral conditions often arise from deep bite misalignments.
Mandibles under overbite conditions tend to suffer from abnormal positions. The lower teeth appear worn down, and functional activities such as chewing or drinking are at risk. Biting with your front teeth also becomes a problem since the jaws are not aligned.
Depending on the severity of the case, overbites can lead to gum disease.
How to Fix a Misaligned Bite?
Orthodontic appliances serve different purposes, although teeth alignment is a common principle for all of them. A healthy bite is the main goal.
But in the process of achieving a perfect smile, sometimes it’s necessary to use orthodontic appliances on the jaws, palate, and even dentofacial structures. This is the field of palate expanders, rubber spacers, fixed destabilizers, and more.
At Sturbridge Orthodontics, metal braces require a design for your smile to allow you a better understanding of the treatment plan. Nowadays, with the 3D scan process, it’s even easier for doctors to see your future smile.
Orthodontists approve of correcting children’s misaligned teeth with Invisalign. In the city of Sturbridge, Invisalign treatment for kids is as good as in any other city in the U.S. Since clear aligners are a new technology, after all, the 3D scan and smile design is mandatory.
Correcting crooked teeth or thumb-sucking teeth is a task only for certified orthodontists, and if the patient is a child or a teenager, we recommend seeing a pediatric orthodontist.
Sturbridge Orthodontics for Kids, MA
Dr. Sabelis is an accomplished orthodontist who is prepared, like no other, to provide attentive care for your family’s smiles (adult teeth included!). He and Dr. Tiberii, a dual specialist in pediatric dentistry and orthodontics, ensure the best orthodontic care in Sturbridge.
But traditional metal braces and Invisalign alignment are not the only treatments at Sturbridge Orthodontics. This dental home offers surgical interventions, Two-Phase treatment, adult treatment, and more.
Visiting your dentist and orthodontist is the best way to protect and correct your teeth. Set an appointment to have a dental examination.