Dental occlusion problems aren’t always easy or straightforward to identify so it is important to be aware of what dental occlusion issues might look like and the signs you need to look out for.

Here we explain everything you need to know about dental occlusion and what symptoms could be an indication of a bite problem.

What is dental occlusion?

Dental occlusion is the term given to the way that the teeth meet and make contact when the lower jaw (mandible) and the upper jaw (maxilla) come together to bite. A normal occlusion allows proper oral function, helps to prevent disease and is favourable aesthetically.

Malocclusion of the teeth or occlusal issues can have a negative effect on a person’s oral health and wellbeing, making them more likely to suffer from dental diseases and have issues with speech, chewing and their facial profile.

If your teeth are misaligned, it can also cause problems for your gums and the temporo-mandibular joint (TMJ) which is the name for the muscles that move your jaw.

What are the causes of malocclusion?

Malocclusion is often hereditary and passed down from one generation to the next but there are other causes such as;

• Childhood habits such as using dummies or bottles past the age of 3, thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.
• Impacted, lost, extra or abnormally shaped teeth.
• Tumours in the mouth or jaw.
• Ill-fitting dental crowns, fillings, retainers or braces.
• Cleft lip or cleft palate.
• Injuries resulting in a misalignment of the jaw.
• Airways are obstructed due to enlarged tonsils, adenoids or allergies.

What are the symptoms of occlusal issues?

An undiagnosed malocclusion can cause a number of issues for patients and lead to things such as gum disease and even tooth loss.

Here are some of the signs that could indicate you have a malocclusion.

• Pain

As a result of an improper bite, many sufferers tend to experience pain in their face, jaw, neck, shoulders and even upper back.

• Headaches and migraines

A lot of people fail to consider this as a symptom of dental issues and often don’t mention it to their dentist but the tired muscles and grinding associated with occlusal diseases often cause headaches and migraines.

• Teeth

Your teeth can be a big clue in identifying occlusal issues. If they are crooked, have loose or missing teeth, are worn down, sensitive, tender when biting or are constantly aching then it could be that this is a result of an unbalanced or misaligned bite.

• Grinding

Easy to go unnoticed as it mainly happens whilst we are sleeping but if you wake in the morning and feel like your jaw is painful, aching or your teeth and gums are tender it could mean you are grinding your teeth.

• Jaw Problems

If you find that your jaw clicks, crunches, grinds or it is difficult to open your mouth properly then this could be a sign of misalignment.

How is a malocclusion treated?

If occlusal issues do require treatment, then the type will depend on the severity of the malocclusion, the individual patient and their teeth. Those with mild occlusal issues may not require any treatment but your dentist will be able to evaluate your teeth and mouth properly before coming up with recommendations for the best treatment path.

This might include;

• Teeth straightening using braces.
• A mouthguard to prevent grinding.
• Removal of teeth to treat overcrowding.
• Tooth adjustments such as reshaping, contouring, sculpting, bonding, or capping teeth to correct alignment.
• Replacement teeth using dental bridges, implants or partial dentures to evenly distribute bite force.
• Surgery to reshape or shorten the jaw.

If you think that you might be suffering from malocclusion, then be sure to book in with your dentist for an appointment to discuss your concerns.