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Did you know there is a lesser-known cause for headaches that can be attributed to malocclusion? Malocclusion occurs when the jaws and teeth are misaligned due to abnormal positioning of the teeth when the jaws close. This can cause an overbite, underbite, crossbite or teeth crowding. While people often try to get their malocclusion treated for cosmetic reasons, it’s important to correct the issue for medical reasons as well if you want the teeth to function and last for years to come.
Why Fix Malocclusion
Unless the malocclusion is severe, orthodontics can readily correct these issues. If a child has a malocclusion, a combination of orthodontics and orthognathic surgery may be needed. If a child’s malocclusion has more to do with the jaws being off and they are still young, an orthopedic headgear can often correct the problem.
Straightened teeth help prevent tooth decay and gum disease since they are easier to clean, making brushing and flossing a breeze. An aligned bite also deters speech issues so you can speak and chew normally. It is vital so your body can break down and absorb the necessary nutrients from your diet.
Correct teeth alignment also keeps the wear and tear on the teeth and TMJ discomfort to a minimum. Conversely, untreated malocclusion strains the jaw and jaw muscles, resulting in tenderness, jaw and neck pain, and of course, headaches.
- Overcrowding happens when teeth are overcrowded, creating crooked or overlapping teeth.
- Gapped teeth or diastema occurs when teeth don’t fill up the available space between teeth or teeth that are lost.
- Overjet arises when the top teeth extend too far over the bottom teeth, interfering with normal speaking and eating.
- Overbite is when the increased pressure allows the front teeth to go more forward and bite down on the gums.
- Crossbite happens when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth and damage front or back teeth.
- Underbite arises when the lower teeth extend outward farther than the upper front teeth.
Open bite occurs when the upper and lower front teeth don’t come together when the mouth is closed, leaving a gap or opening between the rows of teeth when the mouth is closed.
How Braces Help
Retainers and braces worn over teeth can help realign them into their proper position and keep the teeth and jaw in their ideal place. A retainer may be worn for years or even for life to maintain this aligned position.
Clear aligner treatment can effectively treat class 1 malocclusion and some underbites and overbites, while braces can fix big gaps and crooked teeth as well as underbites and overbites. Braces are especially helpful for children and teenagers since malocclusion most often impacts these ages. Baby teeth may need to be removed to make room for the eruption of the permanent teeth. Then braces can correct the jaw problems and misaligned teeth through gentle pressure applied on the teeth and followed up with a retainer to keep teeth in position.
If you have problems with your bite and find yourself with a persistent headache, we welcome you to contact us today to schedule a consultation with our orthodontists for an evaluation. We look forward to helping you achieve the healthy bite and aligned teeth you deserve!
