Bad bite is the simple term for a malocclusion. It is an uneven bite pattern when you bite down on your food. A bad bite can cause a host of problems. These range from uneven wear to headaches. It can also lead to loose and missing teeth. The good news is that a bad bite is not a condition that you must  live with. You can get help. And, with the proper treatment you can have your bad bite corrected. Don’t live with a bad bite. It can result in discomforts such as headaches & jaw pain.

What Causes a Bad Bite?

To understand bad bite, you first must understand how it happens. Your jaw, teeth, and associated muscles work together when you eat. Most people never consider just how intricate this system is. Or, at least not until they are suffering from a bad bite.

When the jawbone, teeth, and muscles are working properly, there should be no pain involved. However, if one of these factors is off-kilter, it can throw the entire chewing mechanism into disharmony. This can cause a number of problems and can lead to serious dental health issues.

Although there is no one cause for a bad bite, it is usually something that causes the teeth to close together unevenly. It causes the temporomandibular joint to operate incorrectly. The end result is pain, suffering, and even permanent tooth damage or loss.

What Are the Symptoms of a Bad Bite?

Just as there is no one cause for a bad bite, so too there is no one symptom. The most common symptom is recurring headaches. These headaches can range from mild irritations to debilitating migraines. If you suffer from severe headaches, you should contact Dr. Levy. He can determine if you may have a bad bite that contributes to the situation. However, please note that the absence of headaches does not mean that you do not have a bad bite. If you have any of the below symptoms, you should immediately consult with Dr. Levy.

Other issues that may arise as a result of a bad bite include:

• Tooth pain ranging from mild to severe
• The necessity of root canals arising from severe tooth pain
• The death of the nerves in the tooth
• Tooth loss
• Teeth that are oversensitive to heat or cold
• A “melting” effect on the tooth’s surface caused by excessive wearing of the teeth
• Teeth that are severely worn
• Teeth that develop chips, fractures, cracks, or even breaks
• Teeth that appear to be misaligned or overcrowded
• Headaches ranging in severity from mild to migraine
• Muscle spasms, most commonly in the jaw or upper neck
• Points that radiate pain, usually in the teeth, upper neck, or facial area
• Chronic fatigue or soreness in the jaw muscles
• Receding gum tissue
• Bone loss around the teeth
• Clicking or popping in the temporomandibular joint
• Erosion of joint surfaces

A bad bite may be indicated by the presence of any of these symptoms. However, in some cases, other symptoms may be present. If you have any reason to think you may have a bad bite, mention it during your next routine dentist visit. Dr. Levy will be happy to take a closer look. He can determine whether you may have this condition.

Treatment Options If You Suffer from a Bad Bite

The good news is that a bad bite is treatable. Once Dr. Levy has diagnosed the condition, he will then talk with you about your treatment options. Treatment for a bad bite includes reshaping of tooth surfaces. Treatment can also include orthodontic appliances. Orthodontic appliances used are braces, retainers, and so on. All of these solutions work to to correctly align your teeth. You may also use crowns or even dental implants to correct the biting surface. And, in some cases you can use dentures.Dentures can replace one or more of your teeth.

If your jaw is out of alignment, it may be necessary to have surgery. This can correct the matter. This sounds very frightening. It is actually a simple and routine surgery. Additionally, this is only necessary in a very small percentage of people. It is not needed by everyone who suffers from a bad bite. If Dr. Levy determines that other forms of treatment will not help you, he may suggest that you consult the appropriate medical practitioner to explore this option further.

Mark Levy, DDS, Can Help with Your Bad Bite

If you have one or more of the symptoms noted above you may suffer from a malocclusion. Keep in mind that this condition is usually relatively mild. It can be corrected using non-invasive techniques. You don’t have anything to be afraid of. Dr. Levy can help you get the proper bite.

Call Mark Levy, DDS, at (614) 777-7350 for help learning about and getting treatment for your bad bite.