How Gulf Cove Dental Treats Occlusal Disease
What Is Occlusal Disease?
Occlusal disease is when a patient’s bite is not properly aligned. Because of the poor alignment, every time they bite down, the pressure begins to create problems with the teeth, muscles, jaw bone, and jaw joint. Occlusal disease is one of the most common dental disorders. It is also most undiagnosed.
Symptoms of occlusal disease are varied. Where the upper and lower teeth meet, it’s common to find the enamel completely worn down. Once this happens, the teeth begin to show visible wear quickly. It’s not uncommon for teeth to look very worn.
With occlusal disease, teeth can also become loose and move much easier, often growing sensitive to temperature changes and sore from biting. They can even fracture easier. Beyond the structural damage to a person’s teeth is the damage done to their jaw and joints. The jaw muscles can become sore and painful, and headaches are a common complaint. Drs. Feit and Ziegler has also found that patients with occlusal disease have jaw joints that pop and click while eating. Not only is this annoying; it can be painful.
Common Causes Of Occlusal Disease:
- Tooth loss
- Prolonged use of pacifier
- Thumb sucking
- Cleft lip and palate
- Injuries and trauma
- Recognizing Occlusal Disease:
- Symptoms May Include
- Misaligned teeth
- Discomfort when biting or chewing
- Difficulty breathing through the mouth
- Speech problems
- Frequent biting of tongue or cheeks
- Change in the facial structure
- Tumors in the mouth
- Bottle feeding
- Impacted tooth
- Lack of oral care
- Obstructed airway
- Jaw misalignment
- Developmental issues
- Genetic predisposition
- Chronic teeth grinding
Recognizing Occlusal Disease:
Symptoms May Include
- Misaligned teeth
- Discomfort when biting or chewing
- Difficulty breathing through the mouth
- Speech problems
- Frequent biting of tongue or cheeks
- Change in the facial structure
When Occlusal Disease Goes Untreated
Without treatment, the teeth will continue to wear down and become worse over time, sometimes leading to tooth loss. The jaw muscles and joints will continue to cause discomfort as well. The longer occlusal disease goes untreated, the more complex the treatment will need to be, which is why it’s better to begin treatment for occlusal disease as early as possible.
Treatment with ClearCorrect Clear Aligners
Managing occlusal disease is simple with ClearCorrect clear aligners. They’re comfortable, removable, and nearly invisible. Keep your daily routine intact, enjoy your favorite foods, maintain regular oral care, and achieve straighter teeth discreetly.
The key to preventing damage from occlusal disease is examination and diagnosis. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms mentioned, please let us know so we can take a closer look. Early intervention will help us to prevent more costly problems. Give us a call at 941.828.1698 or send us an email to schedule a consultation.