Bite Problems in Children and Adults

Do you have bite problems? If so, you’re not alone. Millions of people suffer from bite problems, which, if left unresolved, can cause other issues down the road.

These problems can include speech difficulty, tooth decay, and difficulty biting down or chewing food. Many people think that these problems will correct themselves over time, but this is often not the case. Therefore, bite correction needs to be done with orthodontics, and it’s essential to do so early in life to avoid future problems.

This article will discuss bite problems in children and adults and what orthodontic treatment can do to help correct them!

Common Bite Problems

First, let’s identify some of the common bite problems that can occur in both children and adults:

• Underbite: A patient has an underbite when the lower jaw extends out further than the upper jaw.
• Overbite: This type of bite can wear down the front teeth. It occurs when the upper jaw extends out further than the lower jaw.
• Crossbite: A kind of malocclusion that happens when one or more teeth on one side of the mouth don’t fit properly against the other side.
• Open bite: It’s one of those jaw alignment issues that need to be addressed at the earliest. It occurs when there’s a gap between the lower and upper front teeth when the mouth is closed.
• Crowding: It happens when too many teeth are in too small of an area.

Issues Caused By Bite Problems

When bite problems in children and adults are left uncorrected, it can lead to some further complications down the road. These problems include:

Speech Problems

Speech problems occur when you have trouble articulating certain sounds or words due to misaligned teeth. You may also struggle with chewing food properly and swallowing because your teeth aren’t lining up correctly, making biting into things difficult.

Tooth Decay

If your teeth are constantly rubbing against each other due to bite problems, it can lead to tooth decay. In addition, the enamel on your teeth will start to wear down over time and make them more susceptible to cavities.

Jaw Pain

Problems with your jaw joint can cause pain in your face and head, as well as difficulty opening wide enough to eat comfortably. Jaw pain may also lead to headaches and be an unwelcome distraction throughout the day.

Orthodontic Treatments For Bite Problems

If you’re experiencing bite problems, you must seek professional treatment from an experienced orthodontist right away so they can help correct the issue. There are a few different orthodontic treatment choices that will help:

Braces and Invisalign^®

Regular braces are the most common treatment for fixing bite problems. Braces gradually move your teeth into the correct position over time. Invisalign^® is a newer treatment that uses clear plastic aligners to straighten teeth instead of traditional metal wires and brackets.

Headgear

Headgear is an older method used to correct overbites by keeping your upper jaw from growing too much or developing an underbite due to it being pulled forward when you bite down. Thankfully, it’s usually worn at night while sleeping so that it’s not a distraction during the day.

Tooth Repair

If a tooth is causing alignment issues, it may need to be extracted or replaced with an artificial one made from porcelain veneers or composite resin material. Tooth repair will also stop any additional tooth decay caused by misaligned teeth.

Final Thoughts

The best way to find out which treatment is proper for you is to talk with an orthodontist. They will examine your teeth and jaw and determine what’s causing your bite problems. Then they can recommend the best course of action to correct them!

Call Dr. Yazji, your local orthodontist in Weston and Miami areas, and find out which orthodontic treatment you need to correct your bite.

Dr. Yazji Orthodontics is dedicated to helping you reach your bite and smile goals. We offer various services that can help align your bite and teeth, such as braces and Invisalign® clear aligners.

Schedule a complimentary orthodontics appointment and discuss your bite problems today! We have convenient locations in the Weston community, Brickell, and West Miami.