Overbite and underbite are terms you’ve undoubtedly heard before. If left untreated, a misaligned or poor bite can be both unpleasant and lead to future issues. There are numerous indicators that you may have a poor bite and should schedule an appointment with your orthodontist to receive treatment.

What Is A Good Bite?

If you have a healthy bite, you should be able to completely close your teeth, feel your top and bottom teeth come together at the same moment, and it should be painless and pleasant. Changes in these sensations might suggest an issue with your bite.

Signs Of A Good Bite

1. Pain-Free

If you have pain in your jaw bone or the muscles around your jaw, it might be a sign that your bite is incorrect.

2. Teeth Evenness

If your teeth are aligned and symmetrical on the upper and lower jawbone lines, it’s a good indicator that your bite is in good shape.

3. Tongue

Your tongue can be a good predictor of a terrible bite. If your bite is bad, there’s a good possibility your tongue will be cut or nicked on the sides, leading to exposed sores that are more likely to become infected.

What Makes Up A Bad Bite?

• Genetics
• Thumb sucking  and pacifiers
• Lost teeth, extra teeth, or impacted teeth 
• Birth defects like cleft palates 
• Differences in the size of your teeth 

Symptoms & Signs That You Have A Bad Bite?

It may be clear to some individuals that you have a terrible bite, but it may not be so obvious to others. The following are some of the telling signs:

1. TMJ Symptoms

Pain while moving your jaw, stiffness, discomfort, and clicking noises when opening and closing your mouth are all signs of TMJ.

2. Headache

Because headaches may be caused by a variety of causes, they may not appear to be a glaring indication of a misaligned bite, but they are a symptom. When your bite is out of line, the muscles that move your jaw are likely to be tight and strained. This stress can cause headaches ranging from moderate to severe.

3. Trouble Speaking

If you have difficulty pronouncing or enunciating particular phrases due to stiffness in your jaw, you may have a misaligned bite.

4. Grinding Your Teeth

Teeth grinding is a severe problem that can have negative repercussions for your smile. Grinding your teeth can also cause jaw discomfort and headaches.

5. Your Dentist Takes Notice

This is the final warning sign; if something doesn’t fit quite right, your dentist will let you know at your check-up. Even though your smile appears to be in good shape, your dentist’s skilled eye may be able to detect teeth that aren’t fitting together properly. 

How To Fix A Bad Bite?

As a result, aligning your jaw can only be done with orthodontic intervention. Fixing a misaligned bite is a complicated task, so transparent aligners like Invisalign might not be the best choice. When it comes to putting enough pressure on the teeth to straighten the jaw, braces are the greatest choice, and elastics are the finest method to do it. However, consulting an orthodontist is the best method to tell for sure if you have a poor bite. Only orthodontists are qualified to correct your teeth, jaw, mouth, and face. If you suspect your bite is wrong after reading this article, schedule an appointment at north Bramalea dental to have your jaw evaluated right away!