Underbite: What are the Causes?
An underbite is a type of dental issue that occurs when lower teeth extend outward farther than the upper front teeth. This oral issue is also defined as Class III malocclusion or prognathism. Consult an orthodontist nearby to fix such an oral issue.
It spoils the physical appearance of the people who are having it. It projects a very bad shape in the mouth and face. Sometimes this problem can cause severe underbite issues leading the lower teeth to extend far forward. When the cases are milder, they are nearly unnoticeable. Go for an orthodontist near me for a free consultation if needed.
An underbite is considered to be a more serious issue than just a cosmetic one. While people learn to live with mild cases of oral issues, severe ones may lead to
- Trouble biting and grinding food
- Difficulties in talking
- mouth and face trouble due to misalignment of the jaw
Underbite causes:
The alignment of teeth may be affected by multiple reasons. Generally, teeth grow
Typically, teeth grow so that upper teeth fit a little preposterous teeth. Your molars — the level, wide teeth at the rear of your mouth — should find a way into each other. Proper tooth arrangement holds you back from biting your cheeks, lips, or tongue when you eat.
There are different factors that could make a person develop an underbite. These include:
Childhood bad habits:
Some of the childhood may cause risk for developing underbite or other teeth problems. Some of the contributing factors may include such as:
- Constantly thumb sucking
- forcing teeth with the tongue
- Use of pacifier in children above age 3
- feeding on a bottle beyond infant years
- Hereditary
Genetic:
Mostly an underbite is genetic. As a result, you are more likely to have an underbite if any one of the family members also has it. It is mainly genetics that determines a person’s tooth and jaw structure. Visit the orthodontist’s office, to determine the severity of the condition.
Sometimes people are born with defective teeth. Their teeth may be impacted, wrongly shaped, or don’t fit properly. Sometimes people have had such types of defects in their teeth since birth. Some conditions that may lead to overbite involve:
Trauma:
Serious wounds to the face may make lasting injury to the jawbones. Frequently, it’s feasible to fix broken jawbones, yet jaws don’t generally fit together appropriately subsequent to being surgically realigned. This can cause an underbite.
Cysts: Tumors on the jawbones or in the mouth may lead to protruding jaws causing an underbite.
Why need an underbite correction treatment?
There are a few people who are sustained with perfect teeth. Unfortunately, most people are not born with absolutely aligned teeth. If they have severe underbite issues, they should go through medical treatment.
After the treatment from an orthodontist near me for adults, it will be easier to clean the teeth. Moreover, the risks for tooth decay and gum disease will be reduced. You will also experience less pressure on your teeth, jaws, and facial muscles. Additionally, the treatment will help reduce the risks of breaking a tooth and relieve painful symptoms of temporomandibular disorders.
Some of the common treatment involves:
At-home treatment:
Regular oral hygiene practice and dental checkups and cleanings are essential parts of the treatment for healthy teeth. People with an underbite or other oral issues must pay attention to their teeth to avoid further damage and decay. Therefore, brush your teeth twice a day at least for two to three minutes each time with fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to brush along your gum line on all sides of your mouth like on the inside, outside, and the back of your mouth. Make an appointment with your dentist at least twice a year for checkups and cleanings.
In more critical cases of underbite, a dentist may suggest surgery to improve the condition.