Have you suffered any unexplained pain in your mouth? Wondering if your dental alignment could be an issue?
A mouth full of misaligned teeth can be more than a pain. Teeth misaligned can cause oral issues like trouble chewing. Some misalignments may even cause more severe issues like resolute bone cysts, affecting jaws.
Not sure if your pain was caused by misalignment? Wondering what it may look like and do?
We created this quick guide to help! Keep reading for a full list of common types of teeth misalignment to learn if yours might be the cause.
Overcrowding
Overcrowding is caused when there isn’t enough room in the mouth for all teeth. This causes teeth to press against each other and remain aligned in a strange way.
For some people, overcrowding can be corrected with braces. In other cases, teeth may need to be extracted or reshaped to create enough space for alignment. Overcrowding can be prevented by visiting the dentist regularly and practicing good oral hygiene.
Missing Teeth
Missing teeth can occur naturally or due to injury, genetics, or poor oral hygiene. If a tooth is missing due to trauma, the new tooth may erupt in the wrong direction or may not come in at all. It can cause a gap in the smile and other teeth to drift out of alignment.
If missing teeth are due to genetics, this can result in gaps in the smile and other teeth growing sideways, crooked, and overlapping. Poor oral hygiene can also lead to infections and gum disease, leading to tooth loss and misalignment. You can always learn about overlapping teeth and other oral problems to know how to address them.
Missing teeth can significantly impact the aesthetics and function of a person’s smile. It is crucial to seek orthodontic treatment early to avoid further complications.
Overbite
Overbite is when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. An overbite can be caused by genetics, incorrect swallowing habits, thumb sucking, or bruxism (teeth grinding). An overbite can cause pain and fatigue of the lower jaw and the upper jaw muscles and can also cause the lower front teeth to be worn down.
Underbite
Underbite, a type of teeth misalignment, is when the lower teeth are pushed in front of the upper teeth. People with an underbite have trouble speaking and may experience problems with jaw fatigue or nose breathing. An underbite is often seen in people with facial features such as a jutting lower chin or a shorter upper lip.
Overjet
Overjet occurs when the upper front teeth protrude significantly over the lower front teeth. An overjet can put the lower front teeth at risk for chipping, wear, and other trauma. Additionally, it can cause speech difficulties, problems in bite function, an open bite, and an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Different Ways Teeth Misaligned
There are numerous causes of teeth misaligned, from genetics to environmental factors. Some of its types are overcrowding, missing teeth, overbite, underbite, and overjet. No matter the reason and type, it is essential to design a treatment plan that meets the needs of the individual.
Interested in learning more about oral health or overall health? Check out our other articles!
