Most people think braces are just for crooked teeth or overbites. But braces can fix so much more. Did you know straightening your teeth with braces can ease headaches and jaw pain? Braces can make it easier to chew your food properly, which could even help digestion.
The team at Ohana Orthodontics has seen how braces treatment has transformed our patients’ lives, not just those with crooked teeth or overbites. Braces can fix TMJ and treat a variety of dental problems. Let’s explore what braces can treat and how they can improve your oral health and overall health.
What Is a Malocclusion?
A malocclusion is a fancy word for “bad bite.” It means your teeth aren’t where they should be and don’t come together as they were designed. Your teeth and jaws are designed to fit together a certain way. When you have misaligned teeth, it can cause health problems.
Malocclusions can cause everything from headaches, neck aches, and jaw aches to digestive problems because you find it difficult to chew properly. A bad bite can even cause speech problems and breathing issues that lead to snoring or sleep apnea.
The longer you go with a malocclusion, the worse it can get. That’s why it’s best to treat it as soon as possible. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a child consult with an orthodontist by age 7 to find any dental problems. But it’s just as important for adults to treat their malocclusions as it is for children.
Types of Malocclusions Braces Can Fix
Can braces fix an overbite? Can clear braces fix gaps in teeth? Can braces fix an underbite?
Braces and clear braces can fix all types of malocclusions. They can also fix multiple malocclusions for those with several bite problems. Fixing those malocclusions can improve your overall health. For example, the long-term effects of not chewing food properly can include indigestion, nausea, and other digestive issues. Invisalign or braces can fix jaw alignment and reduce or eliminate these problems.
Here are the different types of malocclusions that braces can fix.
Braces for Overbite
An overbite is when the upper jaw sits forward of the lower jaw when the jaws are at rest. An overbite can be caused by genetics or bad habits such as thumbsucking or pacifier use beyond two years old.
An overbite is one of the most common malocclusions. Left untreated, it can cause excessive tooth wear, difficulty chewing, and problems cleaning teeth properly. This can lead to accelerated tooth decay and gum disease.
Braces for Underbite
An underbite is essentially the opposite of an overbite. Instead of the upper jaw protruding over the lower jaw, the lower jaw juts forward from the upper jaw. This can give the appearance of a jutting chin. It can also cause problems similar to an overbite, such as problems chewing and excessive tooth wear.
Braces for Crossbite
A crossbite is where the upper or lower jaw is shifted or the teeth are moved so they don’t align properly with their counterparts. The anterior crossbite is easy to spot because the center line of the lower teeth doesn’t line up with the center line of the upper teeth.
The posterior crossbite is a bit harder to see because it involves the back teeth. The upper back teeth sit inside the lower back teeth instead of lining up with them. Crossbites can cause chewing problems and excessive wear on your teeth.
Braces for Deep Bite
A deep bite is when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth. This can cause the lower teeth to become crowded as they are squeezed under the upper teeth. Some patients bite into the roof of their mouth or hit the back of their upper teeth when they chew. This can cause mouth sores on the palate or excessive wear on the back of the front teeth. Both can make eating difficult.
Braces for Open Bite
An open bite is when the front teeth flare outward at an angle, leaving a gap between the upper and lower incisors. An open bite can be caused by tongue thrusting or thumbsucking, among other causes.
An open bite can make chewing very difficult. It can also cause speech issues, such as a lisp, and can give the appearance of “buck teeth.”
Braces for Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth are a result of teeth not having room to erupt properly. This often happens because the jaw is too small or other teeth have shifted due to baby teeth falling out too early.
Crowded teeth are difficult to clean, which can result in accelerated tooth decay. They also can be contacted incorrectly by other teeth, which causes excessive tooth wear. Those who have crowded teeth because of a small jaw may wear a palate expander to widen their jaw before braces.
Braces for Gap Teeth
Gap teeth occur when the jaw is too wide or when teeth are missing, causing other teeth to shift. The shifting teeth result in large gaps between the teeth.
Gapped teeth in one part of the mouth can cause crowding in other parts. Gap teeth can also trap food between them, causing tooth decay. Gap teeth can also allow food to hit the gums more during eating, which can irritate gums and cause gum disease.
Repairing Malocclusions With Braces
Braces treatment can repair all of these malocclusions. Whether you have one of these problems or several, metal braces or clear ceramic braces can fix your asymmetrical jaw. You can often fix a bad bite with clear aligners such as Invisalign.
The first step is to schedule an appointment with Ohana Orthodontics in Canby, OR. During your first visit, we will give you a detailed examination to figure out what type or types of bad bite you have.
Once we’ve seen your mouth and jaws, we use sophisticated, high-tech software to create a detailed treatment plan. We’ll be able to tell you which bite correction treatment is best for you — traditional metal braces, clear braces, or Invisalign. We’ll also be able to tell you how long your treatment will take and how much your treatment will cost.
Braces Treatment in Canby, OR
Braces treatment does more than produce a beautiful smile. It improves your oral health by making it easier to brush and floss your teeth. It also makes it easier to bite and chew your food and even easier to breathe.
Braces treatment not only improves your oral health, but it also improves your overall health. While treating bad bites early is best, it’s never too late to improve your health. Whether you’re a child or an adult, we can treat your bad bite and put you on the path to a healthy, beautiful smile!
