Bite Alignment
“This w eek, Dr. Ross Atkinson, Periodontist, addresses a common problem associated with many oral health problems.”
As a Periodontal Specialist, I frequently treat patients in conjunction with general dentists and other dental specialists. Through our combined skills, we are able to provide patients with optimal outcomes for healthy, confident smiles. Regardless, however, of the branch of dentistry in which we practice, we are all very much aware of the intricate balance necessary when it comes to bite alignment. Because, like the foundation of healthy gums, without proper bite alignment, your oral health is vulnerable to problems. And, these problems can extend far beyond the mouth.
Your dental make-up is an intricate composition of muscles, joint sand teeth and plays a major role in your overall comfort and health. When teeth are crowded and crooked, improper bite alignment is no surprise. However, bite disparity isn’t always apparent. Things like an open bite or crowns that are too high canal tera bite, resulting in along list of problems that may seem to be unassociated with the position of teeth.
For example, when teeth tilt out of their proper positions, it can pull the gum tissues that wrap the base of teeth. Eventually, the gums may recede. Not only does this lead to sensitivity from hot and cold foods and beverages, just sweeping the bristle sofa tooth brush across these areas can damage the surface of the root or create a jo lt of pain. Because these tooth root portions are not protected with as hell of enamel as with teeth, they are more susceptible to bacteria. This makes teeth more vulnerable to cavities and the gums more open to developing periodontal disease.
People often assume these areas are exposed due to over-zealous brushing or aging. Tooth misalignment is often overlooked as the cause. Yet, some of the problems of bite mis alignment extend beyond the mouth. When upper and lower teeth don’t meet properly, patients often experience headaches, jaw pain, sore muscles, neck and back pain, limited range of motion of the neck, poor posture, stuffy and ringing ears, night-time grinding and clenching, dizziness, fatigue and more.
This occurs when the act of biting and chewing places strain on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ ). These joints are located justin front of each ear and hinge the lower jaw to the skull. Every time you speak, yawn, bite or chew, the socket sin these joints move. For protection, the joints are covered with cartilage and cushioned by a shock-absorbing disk. This keeps the joint sin working shape throughout your lifetime. When a TMJ disorder occurs , the joints can become worn, stressed or strained. Problems can emerge in a number of ways.
When the upper teeth and lower teeth do not move harmoniously, the stress and strain is transferred to the jaw joints. As mentioned prior, common problems include:
•Painful or tender jaw join ts
•Frequent headaches or migraines
•Earache so rear ringing
•Dizziness
•Discomfort or difficulty when che wing
•Facial pain
•Difficulty when opening or closing the mouth
•Clicking sound or grating sensation when opening the mouth or while chewin g
Frequent headaches affect nearly 50 million Americans. Yet, many sufferers never connect the dots between these headaches and their dental anatomy.
A TMJ disorder can occur for a variety of reasons. While TM J disorders most commonly occur in women between ages 20-40, they can arise for both genders and at any age. However, in many cases, the true cause of TMJ disorders is never deter- mined.
For some, the disorder maybe caused by arthritis oran injury to the jaw (even emerging from an injury that occurred many years prior ). However, bite mis alignment is typically the most common cause. People who have jaw joint disorders are also likely to clench or grind their teeth during sleep, which is a common symptom of bite misalignment.
While straight teeth create a more appealing smile, they are also easier to keep clean. Crowded, crooked teeth provide tight angles that are more difficult to reach with a tooth brush or floss. As bacteria accumulate in these nooks, teeth and gums are more susceptible to decay and gum disease.
Nature designed your teeth tobe in a straight, orderly and balanced arrangement for good reason. Without this harmonious positioning, good oral health can not be assured. It’s similar to having a wheel of your car out of alignment. Even though you can continue to drive the ca r, there will even - tually be problems (and expenses) as a result.
As a dental-specialist who treats gum disease and places dental implants, I’ve seen how bite mis alignment can lead to bacterial accumulation as well as eventual tooth loss. I encourage you to be committed to healthy gums and the proper alignment of your teeth. Your smile will not only look good, your oral health will support your overall healthand comfort as well. Call (501) 262-4010 to learn more or visit: