Does your bite feel “off” or are you experiencing jaw pain or stiffness? This may be due to your teeth not coming together properly when your mouth is closed. Even if just a few teeth are crooked or at the improper height, this can have a big effect on how comfortably you can eat, and even how relaxed your mouth and jaw are at a rested state. Learn about the four ways an occlusal adjustment can improve your function:
Treat Teeth Grinding and Clenching
If you grind and clench your teeth, this can often be attributed to a bad bite, where teeth are not positioned to rest in a harmonious position when you bite down. The result is constant jaw movement as you subconsciously search for a comfortable resting position. An occlusal adjustment removes any interference teeth have between each other, so they come together properly when you bite.
Reduce or Eliminate Jaw Pain
Jaw pain often accompanies an improper bite, generally because a person also grinds and clenches their teeth. This puts excess strain on the jaw joints and muscles, a level of overworking that wears them out quickly and causes chronic discomfort. Fixing the bite with an occlusal adjustment helps protect the jaw from overstimulation and improves comfort for eating, speaking, yawning, and other movements.
Preserve Natural Teeth Long-Term
A bad bite caused by crooked teeth or improper tooth size can put extra strain and force on the teeth, especially if the person grinds and clenches their teeth. This makes it significantly more likely that teeth become prematurely worn down or break and need repairs or replacement. An occlusal adjustment that ensures all your teeth fit together properly means they’re more likely to remain strong long-term.
Keep the Jaw Joints Healthy
Your temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaws to your skull, is especially sensitive to changes in your bite and can become distressed and painful if you grind and clench your teeth constantly. An occlusal adjustment that puts your bite into a more harmonious resting position can ease any stress that may be on these joints.
Schedule Your Appointment
Do you have problems with your bite and want to resolve related symptoms? Schedule an appointment with your local dentist for an occlusal adjustment today
