Signs You Have an Uneven Bite And How To Fix It
Are your teeth crowded or nice and evenly aligned? How can you tell if your bite is uneven? What does it mean if your bite is not aligned and how can you fix it?
Dr Rachel Hall Brisbane Holistic Dentist from Evolve Dental Kenmore explains about uneven bites, what this means for your teeth, gums and jaws and what your options are to correct an uneven or misaligned bite.
For most people, an uneven bite means a bite that is obviously out of line in some way: the teeth are noticeably misaligned, there’s an apparent overbite or underbite, or a person’s smile is crooked or twisted, making them self-conscious when smiling.
But the reality is, an uneven bite is about a lot more than cosmetics. Left untreated, a bite that’s misaligned can result in pain and discomfort as well as an increased risk of decay and tooth loss. Not sure if your bite is uneven?
Here are a few common signs of an uneven bite:
APPEARANCE
The most obvious sign that your bite may be uneven is your appearance. Teeth that are twisted, overcrowded or otherwise crooked may be the most apparent signs, but there are other appearance indicators, like how your teeth line up with the midline of your face, especially when you smile.
Even when you can’t see these indicators, your dentist has the training to spot even minor issues that could mean big problems later on.
HEADACHES
If you have frequent headaches, your uneven bite may be to blame. When your bite isn’t aligned properly, your teeth and jaw won’t be able to “work” the way they were designed.
That means that over time, the muscles of your jaw can become strained, which can wind up causing chronic headaches and TMJ disorders.
GRINDING/CLENCHING
If you find yourself grinding or clenching your teeth – or if your sleeping partner tells you that you sound like a cement mixer when you sleep – that’s another common indicator that your bite is uneven.
TMJ and headache symptoms, grinding and clenching occur because your teeth are striving for the symmetry that nature intended.
When your bite is uneven, you wind up clenching and grinding your teeth as your jaw muscles attempt to compensate.
JAW PAIN/TMJ
If you feel pain or discomfort when you bite down hard or from repeated chewing, or if you hear a clicking noise in your ear when you chew, that’s another sign that your bite may be uneven.
An uneven bite can cause the muscles in your jaw to become strained during normal activities like chewing or even talking.
In some cases, this unevenness can cause temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ disorder. The temporomandibular joints help your lower jaw meet your upper jaw in a precise way that lets you chew and speak without pain or difficulty.
When your teeth are out of line, your joints have to work extra hard to achieve an alignment. That causes the pain and clicking that may accompany chewing, yawning or speaking.
LOOSE OR FAILING DENTAL WORK
When teeth are not properly aligned, the regular movements associated with chewing and even speaking can cause fillings, caps and crowns to become loose over time. As a result, decay can creep into teeth that you may believe are protected by previous work.
Cavities and even tooth loss become a significant problem when dental work becomes loose, or when tiny cracks or fissures form from the impact of improperly aligned tooth surfaces clashing together.
UNEVEN WEAR OR TOOTH SENSITIVITY
Just as the pressures exerted by an uneven bite can cause existing dental work to fail, it can also result in worn spots on the tooth’s surface. Enamel begins to wear away much more quickly in those spots, which in turn causes sensitivity.
Eroded enamel can also leave the underlying tooth more exposed to decay.
Do You Have An Uneven Bite?
These are some of the most common signs of an uneven bite, but there are other, more subtle indicators that your dentist will be able to see during an exam.
If you’re experiencing any of these problems or any other facial, head, tooth or jaw pain or discomfort, make an appointment with Evolve Dental Healing Kenmore Dentist as soon as possible so you can be more comfortable and help prevent future damage to your teeth and gums.
How to treat an uneven bite
Bite alignment problems can be addressed with:
- braces to straighten teeth and improve your bite
- tooth removal to alleviate overcrowding
- tooth repair, such as reshaping, capping, or bonding
- surgery to reshape or change the length of the jaw
If you have concerns about your bite, ask your dentist for their educated opinion about the alignment of your teeth.
Why a normal bite is important
Uneven and misaligned bites (malocclusions) can result in:
- problems biting and chewing
- speech problems, such as a lisp
- difficulty breathing
- abnormal facial appearance
- teeth grinding
- teeth wear
- teeth fracture
- facial pain
- tooth sensitivity
- increased gum disease
- increased tooth decay
With a normal, properly aligned bite:
- your teeth are easier to clean properly which can reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum diseases such as gingivitis.
- there’s less strain on your jaws and muscles, which can ease temporomandibular joint disorders.
There are both cosmetic and health advantages to having a normal bite. Talk to your dentist about the alignment of your teeth and your bite.
Fix Your Uneven Bite Kenmore Dentist
Dr Rachel Hall and the team at Evolve Dental Kenmore can help you correct your uneven bite with orthodontic treatments, replacing missing teeth and cosmetic enhancements to straighten and correct your bite.
Call us today 07 3720 1811
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Dr. Rachel Hall
Rachel is the founder and principal dentist at Evolve Dental Healing with over 30 years experience, practising holistically since 2001. Not your typical dentist, Rachel is a passionate opinion leader, challenging convention to empower people to make better dental and health choices, helping thousands to have healthy natural smiles. A respected writer and presenter on holistic dentistry, health and wellness it is Rachel’s mission to revolutionise the way people look at their dental health.
