Bite correction

Non-ideal bites, also known as malocclusions, are responsible for a variety of oral health issues that can cause problems with everyday life, including chewing, speaking and even sleeping.
While malocclusion can be due to genetics and lifestyle factors, accidents are also known to cause the jaw and teeth to shift, resulting in a problematic bite. For some people, it’s obvious when a malocclusion is present. But for others, the signs are less noticeable and it might take a dentist or orthodontist to determine that bite correction may be needed.
Some of the signs you may notice yourself include:

• TMJ symptoms. TMJ (short for temporomandibular joint) is the joint on each side of your face that hinges your lower jaw to your skull. The TMJ plays a vital role in helping your jaw with the needed range of motion for chewing, speaking and even yawning. TMJ problems are noticeable when you suffer from facial or ear pain when moving your jaw, persistent headaches, frequently locked jaws, and/or clicking noises when opening and closing your mouth.
• Speaking problems. If you have problems pronouncing certain words or sounds, it could indicate that you have a malocclusion.
• Chewing problems. Misaligned teeth can also alter your bite when you eat and chew, making it painful and even awkward.
• Teeth grinding. Teeth grinding (also known as bruxism), is common and often made worse due to stress. It’s a serious issue that can have major consequences for your smile and dental health. Jaw pain, toothaches and headaches related to grinding could all be related to malocclusion.
• Sleep apnea. Sleep apnea — a sleep disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops and starts — can cause serious side effects. Some of the symptoms of Obstructive Sleep Apnea, or OSA (the most common form of sleep apnea), include chronic snoring, extreme fatigue during the day, and irritability. Although there are many other issues that can cause sleep apnea, a bad bite can lead to problems that narrow or block your airway and breathing.
• Difficulty cleaning or flossing your teeth. Crowded or misaligned teeth that are hard to brush and floss properly may very well indicate a problem with your bite. Frequent gum bleeding can be an indication of trauma, periodontal disease, or malocclusion.