If you’ve ever experienced jaw pain while chewing or talking, there’s a chance you might have a problem with your bite. Bite issues are no small matter as they can cause pain and other serious problems. Thankfully, you can find a solution at Shine Orthodontics!
Our office in Holly Springs is a place where patients have been coming for years to find the perfect solution to their challenging orthodontic problems. Dr. McGrogan is a board-certified orthodontist who uses her expertise to help improve the life and health of all of her patients through dedicated and precise orthodontic care.
If you are ready to learn more about how your bite impacts your life, then keep reading!
What Causes Bite Problems?
There are a few common causes of bite problems, starting with genetics, facial structure, and injury, all of which are completely uncontrollable. Another cause can sometimes be myofunctional habits that we pick up as infants or children like bottle feeding, mouth breathing, tongue thrusting, and thumb sucking. Typically these behaviors are fairly difficult to control as well, making them challenging to avoid.
Regardless of the reason for the bite problem, it’s important to have it treated as soon as possible. This is why Dr. McGrogan often recommends that patients bring in their children at around seven years old to be evaluated. This can help stop bite issues before they even start, or treat them while children are young and their bones are growing. All in all, it doesn’t matter as much when you come in for treatment, and just that you do get treatment at all! Don’t hesitate just because you’ve dealt with bite issues for years already. It’s time to solve your problems now to save you more headaches in the future
What Do We Mean by Bite Problems?
There are a few different kinds of bites that can create problems for your oral health:
Crossbite
When the lower jaw is longer than the size and length of the upper jaw.
Overbite
When the upper teeth stick out farther than the lower teeth.
Open Bite
When the upper and lower teeth do not connect when you bite down.
Underbite
When the lower teeth stick out past the upper teeth when you bite.
Overcrowded
When there is not enough space along the jaw for all of your teeth, causing them to crowd together.
Misplaced Midline Bite
When the center of your upper teeth does not match the center of your lower teeth.
What Problems Can Bite Issues Cause?
Difficulty Chewing
As most of us know, chewing is pretty important. For one thing, when we chew, we encourage saliva production which then helps with digestion. Chewing also breaks up food particles into small enough pieces to be digested more easily. Swallowing larger bites of food because your bite doesn’t allow you to chew well can result in digestion problems. Your body can’t absorb the nutrients from foods, and they can slow down the entire digestive system resulting in uncomfortable symptoms like indigestion, bloating, gas, and constipation.
Difficulty Breathing
People who tend to breathe through their mouth rather than their nose may not notice or feel like their jaw could be a part of the problem. But jaw issues can lead to narrowed nasal passages, making it more difficult to breathe through the nose and causing snoring, sleep apnea, and dry mouth.
Jaw and Facial Pain
Pain in the jaw and mouth from stress to the muscles of the jaw can be chronic and debilitating in some cases. For people who notice slight recurring pain, we recommend coming into our office to deal with the problem sooner rather than later because TMJ pain often gets worse over time. It can even start to radiate down the neck and to the shoulders when not dealt with appropriately.
Communication Issues
Things like lisps and other speech impediments can sometimes develop due to misaligned bite.
Wearing Down Teeth
Healthy teeth have a layer of enamel on them that helps to protect them while biting and chewing. When this layer gets worn away because of a bite problem, the teeth clash together and wear down the enamel. This means that the tooth is now exposed to the environment and becomes sensitive to temperature, and can even decay or get infected. Ultimately, tooth loss is possible when the enamel is not cared for or is worn away.
Treatment for Jaw Problems
Despite the grim outcomes that we shared above, there are some practical and doable treatment options! Shine Orthodontics is ready to treat people in the Holly Springs area to help improve their confidence and their quality of life through aligned teeth and healthy bites.
Traditional Braces
Braces are often the first line of defense when it comes to jaw or bite problems. Metal braces are well known as the most effective shifting force for tough cases, and paired with other devices like palatal expanders or rubber bands, they are your best bet for getting your jaw in great shape.
Clear Braces
Clear braces are another great choice for an adult who needs jaw alignment support but is concerned about the appearance of braces. These braces are made entirely out of tooth-colored ceramic so that they blend in with your smile seamlessly, all while giving you the jaw-shifting power that you need.
Invisalign
Invisalign retainers are not always the right choice for someone who is dealing with jaw or bite issues, but if the problems are only mild to medium in severity, they can actually be a great choice. We love how convenient they are to use, and are nearly invisible while worn. Definitely speak to Dr. McGrogan about Invisalign to see if they are a good option in your case, or if you need braces instead.
Are You Ready for A Healthy Bite?
Are You Ready for A Healthy Bite?We are ready when you are to help get you started toward a healthier smile! We love seeing our patient’s smiles and lives transform through orthodontics, and you could be the next transformation story. Give us a call to set up a free consultation appointment to get you started!