Human teeth are rarely perfectly aligned, but in some cases even a mild misalignment of the teeth (malocclusion) may cause a number of functional and health-related problems. Cases of severe misalignment require orthodontic treatment to restore proper mouth function and improve overall dental health. Dr. Robert Rudman of Advanced Orthodontic Care recommends that you keep an eye out for the following warning signs that you may have a “bad bite.”
First and foremost, are you experiencing extreme tooth decay and gum disease? When teeth are significantly misaligned, they are harder to clean. If they are misaligned enough to be hard to maintain, then there are probably bite alignment issues at play, too.
Do your teeth easily fracture or is there uneven wear and tear? Do you experience frequent headaches or pain when you speak or chew? This uneven distribution of physical stress on the teeth or joints of the jaw are all common symptoms of TMJ/TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder).
Other signs that indicate there might be issues with your bite alignment are problems with chewing and stomach discomfort (if you aren’t properly chewing your food, you will most likely be experiencing digestive problems), speech impediments, and otherwise inexplicable interruptions of your sleep cycle, such as snoring or trouble breathing (sleep apnea).
If you are in the downtown Denver or Stapleton, Colorado area, and would like to discuss having your bite alignment assessed, please contact Dr. Robert Rudman or any of the orthodontists at Advanced Orthodontic Care for more information.
