Can I Avoid Bite Problems?

Bite problems, sometimes called malocclusion, refer to seven different types of issues that affect how your upper and lower jaw come together. While bite problems can pose cosmetic concerns, they also affect the functionality of your jaw. 

You might wonder if any of these bite problems are avoidable? That’s just the question that Dr. Lovely Manlapaz Teodoro explores in this blog.

Can you prevent bite issues?

Not necessarily. Because crooked teeth, jaw issues, and bite problems are caused by both genetic and environmental factors, you can’t always prevent bite issues. Genetic factors include the size of your jaw, the shape of your jaw, and your bone structure. These risk factors aren’t within your control. If you do spot the signs of a bad bite related to genetics, you might consider orthodontic treatment to straighten your teeth, correct your bite, and alleviate any symptoms caused by a bad bite.

Other factors that can contribute to bite issues include:

• Physical trauma, such as jaw damage or bone fractures
• Missing teeth (which can cause remaining teeth to shift out of place)
• Gum disease
• Tooth decay
• Bone disease or atrophy
• Normal wear and tear
• Ethnicity and geographical location (research shows certain geographical areas have higher incidences of malocclusion)
• Prolonged thumb sucking and pacifier use

Now that we’ve covered that some bite issues are related to genetic factors and some are due to environmental factors, what can you do to reduce your risk of bite problems? Here are a few steps to reduce the risk factors that are within your control:

• Always wear protective safety gear, including mouthguards, when playing sports to reduce the risk of injury
• Practice good oral hygiene to reduce the risk of decay and gum disease (which can contribute to tooth loss and teeth shifting)
• Replace missing teeth with spacers, bridges, or implants to maintain the proper spacing of your remaining teeth

To reduce the risk of bite problems in children, consider breastfeeding when possible. Studies show that breastfeeding reduces the risk of developing an open bite when compared to nonbreastfed babies. In addition, follow the American Dental Association’s recommendations for pacifier usage. Their guidelines include offering only clean, unsweetened pacifiers, encouraging pacifiers over thumb-sucking, and avoiding prolonged pacifier use.

What if you have bite problems?

Even with your best intentions, bite problems can still arise. You might notice crooked teeth, but bite problems present in many ways. They can cause temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, headaches, difficulty chewing, and difficulty speaking clearly (in the case of open bites). Here at The Dental Center of Hercules, we treat many different types of bite problems, including open bite, crossbite, underbite, and overbite. 

Depending on your specific orthodontic needs, Dr. Teodoro may recommend Invisalign® clear removable aligners or FASTBRACES®. Both systems can correct bite issues, straighten your teeth, and you help reach your aesthetic goals. 

Regardless of which type of malocclusion you have, correcting a bite problem can help reduce uneven wear-and-tear on your teeth, straighten your teeth, and reduce pain associated with a bad bite.

To learn more about Invisalign and FASTBRACES, call our Hercules, California, office at 510-254-3328 to schedule an orthodontic consultation. Alternatively, use our online booking system to request your appointment today.