Understanding Open Bite: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options
Healthy bites are essential for proper chewing and speaking. This improves our overall oral health condition. But due to some problems every person can’t make healthy bites. Open bite is one of the main problems which prevents us from making healthy bites. Open bite is a type of malocclusion(misalignment of teeth) where the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed. In this blog we are going to learn more about open bite including its causes and treatment options.
What is an Open Bite?
Open bite is the misalignment of teeth where the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed. This will affect front teeth or the back teeth. This dental problem affects our oral health through acting as a barrier for proper chewing and speaking.
Causes of Open Bite
1.Genetic factors
Some people inherit a jaw structure which is the reason for getting the oral condition of open bite. If our parents have misaligned teeth, then we also have the chance to get misaligned teeth.
2.Childhood habits
Prolonged childhood habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and pacifier use can become the reason for open bite conditions.
3.Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders
Disorders related to jaw joints can become the reason for open bite conditions.
4.Improper jaw growth
Some people have the problem of improper jaw growth. This leads to the condition of open bite.
Symptoms of an Open Bite
⦁ Problems with biting or chewing food
⦁ Speech issues
⦁ Mouth breathing
⦁ Excessive wear on back teeth
⦁ Aesthetic concerns
Treatment Options for Open Bite
1.Orthodontic treatment
⦁ Braces – Traditional metal which helps teeth to move in proper alignment.
⦁ Invisalign- A discrete option which gradually shifts teeth into position.
2.Behaviour modification
Some of the behaviour like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting should be prevented before it worsens. Exercises for tongue and facial muscles may correct tongue posture.
3.Dental appliances
⦁ Tongue cribs- It is a device used for preventing tongue thrusting.
⦁ High-pull headgear- It helps to correct jaw growth in children with skeletal open bites.
4.Surgery
If skeletal issue is the reason for open bite, then orthognathic surgery may become a necessary treatment option. Only in severe cases this treatment option is used.
Conclusion
Some people may get a unique dental condition which affects entire oral health. Open bite is that type of condition which negatively affects our health. It creates problems for proper chewing and speaking. A correct treatment for an open bite can give your healthy smile back. If you face issues related to open bite, then immediately consult a trusted dental clinic like Share A Smile. Taking the correct treatment at the right time can avoid long-term complications.