How an Orthodontist Can Help with Biting, Chewing, and Speaking

Can treatment from an orthodontist help with daily functions such as speaking and chewing? Read on to learn more. Bite correction from an orthodontist has several health benefits, including enhanced aesthetics, clearer speech, and improved chewing, biting, and jaw functions. This type of dental specialist can help you figure out whether your bite is misaligned and how to fix it.

Can an orthodontist help with chewing and speaking?

Teeth are stronger when straight than when crooked. When there is proper dental alignment, the teeth will apply the appropriate amount of pressure when biting and chewing, which will aid digestion by breaking up food. Crooked teeth are often positioned at odd angles or alternate in alignment with the teeth in the opposing jaw.

When eating or chewing (especially something hard) with a misaligned bite, this will put unequal pressure on some teeth, causing them to become strained. It might potentially crack or fracture a tooth over time, which is undesirable. Better dental health results from straighter teeth. Brushing and flossing are simpler with aligned teeth so it is easier to maintain healthy teeth and gums.

Bite issues to correct

Without a properly functioning bite, the smile is incomplete. Orthodontic treatment consists of two parts: straightening the teeth and correcting the bite. Both processes will complete the smile and help patients maintain optimal dental health. For those who have an overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, or other malocclusions, bite correction will be necessary. The mouth will not operate properly without it. The following are some common types of bite issues:

• Open bite: This is when the front teeth fail to overlap or line up properly with the bottom teeth. They may not even contact the lower jaw at all, resulting in a gap. Tongue thrusting or sucking the thumb generally causes an open bite. This is detrimental because it might cause the back teeth to deteriorate
• Underbite: Rather than line up, the lower jaw pushes out more than the upper jaw. Biting and chewing will be more difficult, and TMJ issues may develop
• Overbite: An overbite is when the upper jaw sticks out more than the lower jaw. When an overbite is not addressed, patients tend to bite into their gum tissue or wear out their front teeth
• Crossbite: A crossbite is when the teeth overlap unevenly when in contact. Some of the teeth will protrude over the lower jaw, while others will be behind it. A tooth might also be more prone to getting chipped or fractured

The importance of bite correction

Routine visits to the dental office can achieve early identification of bite issues in children. In many situations, an orthodontist can address issues with orthodontic treatment before a child enters puberty. In most cases, the orthodontist will try bite correction treatments as soon as feasible and then concentrate on alignment later.