While everyone is born with different genes and genetics, often times environmental factors can come into play when baby teeth are growing in and can impact the alignment of the teeth. Below is a list of 6 different bite problems that children and even adults can have before corrective Orthodontic treatment:
- Overbites
Overbites are one of the most common bite 
problems in children and adults. An overbite is often times caused by the shape and size of the individuals jaw or teeth. If the jaw has too little or too much space in between the teeth, it can cause major problems and even cause crowding. When an overbite is severe enough it can cause irreparable damage to the teeth, including; jaw pain, tooth decay / cavities, gum disease, worn tooth enamel, sleep apnea, severe headaches, discomfort when eating or opening/closing mouth, and difficulty speaking.
- Crossbites
A crossbite is oftentimes when the upper teeth fit inside of the lower teeth or vice versa. This frequently can be caused by the misalignment of teeth, or misalignment of the jawbone. If the jaw were to shift to a single side it can wear down the enamel on the tooth/teeth. Anterior crossbites are when the front teeth sit behind the bottom teeth. Because a crossbite can occur from genetics, it can cause delayed loss of baby teeth or abnormal eruption of the permanent teeth. When the teeth are pushed out, the bone can be distorted. Addressing a crossbite as soon as possible is crucial as it can cause larger problems when left untreated later in life and may require more extensive orthodontic treatment.
- Underbites
An underbite is when the bottom teeth are in front and overlap the top front teeth. An underbite is the exact opposite of an overbite. An underbite only affects between 5%-10% of the population and can range from slight to severe, even though both can cause significant problems. Underbites are most often caused by genetics and cannot be prevented but are mainly caused by overcrowding of the teeth or a larger lower law. When an underbite is left untreated,existing complications such as difficulty chewing, and pain can increase. Sometimes symptoms aren’t noticeable until later in life but the wear and tear of misalignment causes pain and can erode the enamel, increasing the risk for tooth decay, gum disease and infection. Orthodontic treatments have a few different options to fix an underbite.
- Open Bites
An open bite occurs when the back teeth are together but the upper and lower front teeth do not overlap. When an open bite is not corrected it can cause problems swallowing and even speech problems. One of the major causes for an open bite is actually thumb-sucking.Stopping the bad habit as soon as possible is essential to avoid an open bite later in life when the permanent teeth have grown in. Having an open bite is completely avoidable, but is still easily fixed with Orthodontic treatment.
- Crowding
Crowed teeth occur when there is inadequate 
space for the teeth. Crowding can be caused by insufficient space in the jaw or simply by large teeth. Having crowded teeth can result in rotated or teeth that overlap while appearing crooked or have a staggered appearance. While crooked and protruding teeth are their own problems, when combined they often lead to crowding as well. Because there is difficulty brushing and flossing crowded teeth it can lead to growth to bacteria, bad breath, cavities, gum disease, and plaque. In children and adults crowded teeth can be repaired with Orthodontic treatment. Call your closest Orthodontic Center of Orange County location to find out what treatment is best for you.
- Spacing
Having too much space between your teeth can result in missing teeth, undersized teeth, oversized jaws or a combination of all 3 of the conditions. While spacing between the teeth isn’t the worth of these common bite problems it can cause an annoyance with food getting stuck between the teeth and possibly suffering from cavities and gum disease later in life. There is a lack of protection to your teeth which can lead to reduced performance and of course, gum disease. Orthodontic treatment for spacing between the teeth is a relatively common treatment.
If you or your child is suffering from any of these common bite problems, call your local Orthodontic Center of Orange County location and schedule a free consultation to see what type of treatment would be best for you.
