The Common Symptoms and Health Risks of Malocclusion

Malocclusion is a common health problem that can come with several symptoms and presents a variety of health risks. Your specific case will depend on the severity of your malocclusion. However, there are a variety of treatment options available to help you work through your unique case. Let’s dive deeper into some of the symptoms and health risks of malocclusion.

Symptoms of malocclusion

Several symptoms of malocclusion can be apparent at a quick glance or maybe the problem behind long-seeded issues you’ve been suffering with:

Bite issues

Malocclusion may be caused by something more like bite issues ranging from mild to severe. More complex jaw issues can result in a physical abnormality. For moderate bite problems, you may notice that your bottom teeth overlap the top teeth or vice versa. Even more rare is the open bite in which the front teeth do not close when the back teeth are pressed together. Instead, there is an open space that can lead to problems with speech or chewing.

Excessive tension

Suffering from headaches, tension in the neck or shoulders, and other body aches can be due to malocclusion. When there is a misalignment, it may cause a person to grind their teeth or clench them excessively, resulting in tension. That tension may manifest in pain that radiates to other areas prone to tension issues.

Visible teeth misalignment

Some of the most common issues when it comes to oral health care are crowding or teeth with gaps. In each of these cases, it can be an indication that malocclusion is present, as the term generally refers to teeth misalignment. This misalignment can lead to problems with oral health, premature decay, and even diseases relating to the health of your teeth over time.

Health risks of malocclusion

Each of the symptoms related to malocclusion produces its own health risks. These are a few of the most common health risks associated with teeth misalignment.

Poor oral health

Misaligned teeth are hard to clean, especially when crowded. It’s difficult to properly clean between the teeth if they’re excessively crooked or crowded. Improper cleaning can lead to poor oral health in the form of gum issues, cavities, decay, and more. These issues can result in a need for fillings, crowns, implants, and many other costly solutions.

Digestion complications

A less commonly known side effect of malocclusion is how it harms digestion. If someone does not have the ability to properly chew their food, they are not able to properly break it down. That means the body does not absorb the vitamins and minerals it needs. This can lead to other health ailments down the line.

Decrease in confidence

Our appearance is closely linked to our confidence which has a major impact on our mental health. If you’re dealing with malocclusion, you may find that your mental health takes a hit as well. While you shouldn’t need to change your appearance to feel good about yourself, the reality is that the world puts a heavy emphasis on cosmetics, including your teeth.

Treatments for malocclusion

There are multiple treatment options for malocclusion nowadays. Depending on the severity of your case, you may be able to choose which option works best for you:

• Braces: Braces are one of the most common orthodontic treatment methods available. This tried-and-true method provides great results that are usually accessible and affordable to patients. Not only can braces help to help improve the spacing of your teeth, but they also adjust your bite for pinnacle oral health.
• Aligners: An increasingly popular alternative to braces is aligners. Aligners are usually clear plastic tray that is removable and specially designed to fit your teeth. Over time, the gradual force of the aligners will push your teeth into their new position, correcting your case of malocclusion.
• Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be required to fix a case of malocclusion. Surgery is especially common in cases where the jaw is the primary cause of the misalignment. While some alignment problems can be adjusted with braces and tools like rubber bands, difficult cases require corrective measures like surgery.

The bottom line

Malocclusion can manifest in many ways and affect your life in many ways. From poor oral health to impacting mental and other aspects of physical health, it’s an important problem to correct. Find the solution that works best for you by speaking with a qualified professional