A bad bite is also known as malocclusion (which has the literal roots of the words “bad” from mal and “bite” from occlusion). A bad bite occurs when the ridges of the mouth do not properly line up for optimal functionality. A misaligned bite can cause plenty of problems for your mouth. It can increase your risk of tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth damage. However, it is important to know that misalignment can also lead to problems beyond the mouth. Misalignment of the bite can create a surprising amount of negative effects throughout the body. Dr. Cabal and the team at Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, Texas can help you achieve proper alignment for your bite to offset these negative effects on your overall health.
TMJ Disorder
A misalignment of your bite can cause your jaw muscles and joints to overcompensate. A lot of undue strain and pressure can be put on your jaw that can eventually lead to TMJ disorder. TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint disorder. The disorder can lead to pain when opening and closing the mouth, popping and clicking sounds, ear pain, ringing in the ear, dizziness, chronic headaches, lockjaw, facial pain, and more. Realigning the bite can often help to provide relief for some of these symptoms of TMJ disorder, as the tension and strain of misalignment is relieved.
Triggered Chain Reaction
Your body is one connected system where one level of dysfunction can lead to multiple levels of problems. The strain on the muscles of your jaw can lead to posture problems. A poor posture can lead to neck and back problems. These kinds of issues can radiate pain all the way down into your legs. In essence, treating the source of a problem like bite misalignment may help eliminate leg pain caused by posture issues.
Treating malocclusion can help your overall health
If you have a misaligned bite, it could be impacting more than just your smile. To schedule your consultation call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in Ft. Worth, White Settlement, North Ft. Worth, Springtown, Rome, Haslet, Azle, Saginaw, and all surrounding communities.
