What is a “Bad Bite?”

A bad bite or malocclusion happens when your upper and lower teeth are not properly aligned. It can be congenital or can result from childhood habits such as thumb sucking. Bad bites come in a variety of forms and have a variety of consequences.

Why do you Need to Fix a Bad Bite?
The consequences of an uncorrected bad bite vary depending on the nature of the problem, and bad bites generally do not self-correct.

A bad bite can result in any of the following:

• Speech difficulties.
• Food getting stuck between teeth resulting in cavities or gum disease.
• Dry mouth.
• Upper teeth biting into lower gums and/or lower teeth biting into the roof of the mouth.
• Tongue biting.
• Early enamel wear.
• Swallowing problems.
• Cosmetic alteration to the appearance of the face.
• Lowered self-esteem and a reluctance to smile with the mouth open.
• Interference with chewing.
• Strain on the muscles in the jaw, particularly if the person also grinds their teeth.

Thankfully, bad bites can be corrected. A trained orthodontist can use braces or aligners, or certain other treatments, to fix a bad bite and restore the teeth and jaw to the correct, healthy position.

How Can Braces and Aligners Help?
For most issues, braces or clear aligners are considered the go-to solution to fix malocclusion. Braces are often needed to correct bite issues, but in some cases, clear aligners may be enough. It’s important to start treatment early; the earlier the treatment is started, the higher the chance of fully correcting the problem. Bite issues can be fixed in adults, but it generally takes longer and is more expensive; many adults find they have to live with the issue or are more likely to need surgery that they may not be able to afford. Thus, it’s important to talk to an orthodontist as soon as you or your dentist realize there is a problem with your child’s bite. Your dentist will refer you to an orthodontist for ongoing treatment.

What Will an Orthodontist Do?
An orthodontist will examine your child’s teeth and bite. They will also take X-rays and impressions of the teeth. This involves biting down on gel trays. They may also take photographs. The X-rays will include a panoramic X-ray. Once the orthodontist has determined the nature and the severity of the problem, they will talk to you about a course of treatment. As already mentioned, this most often involves braces or aligners, but there are some other options.

These include:

• Retainers. For very mild problems, a simple retainer worn at night can solve the issue.
• Surgery. It’s rare to need surgery to correct a bad bite, but it is possible.
• Reshaping or capping of teeth.
• Removal of teeth. The removal of permanent teeth is an option if the mouth is too small, and in some cases can prevent wisdom teeth from becoming impacted.
• The use of an orthodontic appliance to realign the teeth. Often, these appliances are worn at night.

Again, in most cases, braces or retainers will be the primary treatment, but some bite issues require a little bit more. Clear retainers are often better for comfort and aesthetics, but can’t fix all bite problems and sometimes reduce compliance in younger children.

A bad bite is a problem that should be fixed and fixed early. Correcting it will help your child keep healthy teeth throughout their life, as well as improving their self-esteem and perception of their appearance. If your child has crooked teeth or an overbite or underbite (a small overbite is normal), then you should talk to your dentist about getting a referral to an orthodontist sooner rather than later.