Alignment is what keeps us from biting our cheeks and lips. Properly aligned teeth also let us chew and speak properly and allow for proper cleaning to prevent decay.
Another name for badly aligned teeth is malocclusion. This simply means that the teeth of the upper and lower jaws don’t connect properly with the teeth of the lower jaw. Different types of malocclusion include overbites, underbites, and uneven bites.
Malocclusion causes many problems. These include trouble biting or chewing, speech difficulties such as lisping, mouth breathing, jaw pain, unhealthy gums, and an unattractive appearance.
Who Gets Malocclusion?
Children may inherit a family trait of malocclusion because of the size and shape of their face, jaws, and teeth. Or they can develop it from using a bottle or pacifier too long, thumb sucking, losing baby teeth too early or late, or from an accident.
Sometimes both inherited and later problems are to blame. Signs your child might have a malocclusion include crowded, misplaced, or oversized teeth; or jaws that shift or make sounds.
Continue reading Malocclusion: When Teeth Don’t Align
