Occlusion is known as the relationship between your upper and lower teeth, but if your teeth don’t line up properly, you may start to experience “bite problems”.
Your dentist will be able to tell you how chewing can lead to the breakdown of teeth, gums and muscle pain if the issue is not corrected. There are a few facts about occlusion we would like to share.
Do you have a bite problem that’s causing you pain? Learn more about occlusion in our blog.
Evaluation of Bite Problems
There are a number of common signs that can highlight the presence of malocclusion. Your occlusion could have issues if you have ever experienced excessive tooth wear, tooth breakage, tooth loss, tooth sensitivity, root canals, muscle pains in your neck and head, headaches and jaw pain. You may not notice any issues with your occlusion or experience noticeable bite problems, so it’s important to schedule regular checkups with your dentist, especially if you have any of the issues listed above.
Normal Occlusion
While occlusion owns a complicated definition, it breaks down into how well upper and lower teeth fit together. Normal occlusion involves as little destructive interferences as possible. For a Class 1 occlusion, your lower anterior incisors sit behind the upper anterior incisors. For a Class 2 malocclusion, your lower anterior incisors are very far behind the upper anterior incisors and affects how you bite down. This can result in discomfort, wear of the front teeth and even bone damage. A Class 3 malocclusion occurs when the anterior incisors are positioned edge-to-edge with the upper anterior incisors or just in front. This is also known as a crossbite and one of the major culprits of bite problems.
The Negative Health Effects of Bite Problems
Unfortunately, there are a large amount of side effects that can occur if you do have a bite problem. This can include chronic headaches, joint disorder, muscle pains, tooth movement, tooth loss, injuries to your teeth, tooth wear and tooth sensitivity just to name a few. Your dentist can help you find a plan to help these issues, but you can’t keep putting of a visit if you want to correct these issues.
Occlusion and Cosmetic Dentistry
As previously mentioned, a dentist can help you develop a plan to restore your oral health. You have more options at your disposal than ever before, and you don’t have to needlessly suffer through pain and discomfort.
What should I do if I have bite problems?
If you have chronic pain and think it may be connected to bite problems, see your local dentist in Olney for a diagnosis.
Call Olney Dental at (301) 250-1057 or contact us online for an appointment. And don’t forget to visit Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Pinterest, and YouTube to connect with us on social media.