Take Control Of Problematic Bite Dysfunction With Help From Our O’Fallon Dentists
We all know that eating a lot of sugar can weaken our teeth and our smiles, but what about lesser-known structural problems that damage oral health? Poorly aligned bites can wreak havoc on oral health. Our O’Fallon dentists are here to help you improve the way that your smile fits together, so that you can enjoy a strong and healthy smile for years to come.
The basic problem is this, if the patient’s top and bottom teeth do not fit together evenly and comfortably, the patient can start to suffer from TMJ issues and dental damage as a result:
Many patients subconsciously change the way that they hold their lower jaws, as well as the way that they bite, in order to correct for the bite dysfunction. This leads to jaw tension and damage over time.
You may find that you favor one side of your smile over another when you chew. As a result, some of your teeth can start to wear down at a faster rate than others. You may experience increased rates of cavity and damage, as well as increased dental sensitivity.
A dysfunctional bite is often associated with bruxism, or chronic dental grinding. Not only does bruxism put an immense amount of pressure on your temporomandibular joints; it also causes micro-cracks and chips in the dental enamel. Many people actually grind their teeth as they sleep, so it may not be immediately evident that you’re suffering from bruxism.
Our dental team can help patients achieve healthier bite surfaces by building up teeth when necessary with composite resin or customized restorations. We also make sure to prioritize healthy bite alignment when crafting restorations, as poorly crafted and placed restorations can through the patient’s smile out of balance.
Our O’Fallon dentists are here to help you overcome bite issues, so that you can keep your smile healthy and balanced for years to come. Please feel free to call our dental team, or use the Contact Us page on our site to get started.