When many people think about how smiles become damaged, they think about sugary foods/drinks and dental traumas. Undoubtedly, these issues frequently lead to dental damage, however, there are many, lesser-known dental issues that can also wreak havoc on your smile. In today’s short article our Elmhurst dentists are giving you more information about one hidden dental threat, in particular: a misaligned and uneven bite. Keep reading to learn more about the ways that a problematic bite and damage your oral health.
A healthy bite fits together comfortably—when the top and bottom teeth come together, the jaw is able to rest and relax without realigning. A poorly aligned bite may cause you to shift your lower jaw around in order to bite and chew. Additionally, when your jaw is relaxed, when you are sleeping for example, your bottom jaw may slide back and forth in search of a comfortable resting spot.
It makes sense, then, that poorly aligned bites can cause patients to suffer from bruxism, or chronic dental grinding and clenching. Over time, bruxism can cause your dental enamel to thin and wear down; this puts you at increased risk of developing dental cracks and chips as well as cavities.
An uneven bite can also cause one half your smile to wear down faster than the other half. Patients with misaligned bites have to be quite deliberate about how they chew—often this entire process is done unconsciously. As you alter your bite day after day, some of your teeth are put under an unnecessary amount or pressure, and thus begin to wear down.
By improving your natural bite alignment, you can minimize your risk of suffering from many of these oral health issues. Our Elmhurst dentists are happy to give you any additional information that you may need about your smile in general, and bite health, in particular. Give us a call to get started!