If you’ve noticed a slight change in your smile or teeth alignment, it may be an indication that your bite has shifted. This condition is known as malocclusion and results from crooked or crowded teeth and misalignment between the lower and upper dental arches.

What Might Be Happening

A variety of issues may be contributing to you feeling like your bite has changed. If you have experienced tooth loss, your bite may not fit together the same way (or your teeth may be shifting out of place). If you suffer from bruxism, eroded tooth surfaces can affect your bite. Old dental work (like a crown or a bridge) may suddenly become worn or damaged, from which even minor changes can affect your overall bite balance. Dental care to address the problem will create a more balanced bite.

The most common causes of a shifting bite include:

• Over time, your mouth feels crowded, and changes in dental alignment occur.
• Tooth loss is one of the most common dental problems. If you lose one or more teeth, the remaining ones will shift towards the new gap and adversely affect your bite.
• Gingivitis refers to inflammation of the tissue around your teeth. When it progresses further and becomes periodontitis, it can cause gum shrinkage and bone loss, increasing the likelihood of tooth loss and misalignment.
• It’s possible to inherit malocclusion. Genetic disorders such as cleft lip or palate also affect your bite by changing your dental structure.
• Kids, teens, and young adults are at higher risk of traumatic dental injuries which affect their bite. Examples are fractures, extrusion, subluxation, and avulsion. TMJ and Misalignment Misalignment of the jaw is one of the most common causes of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and can have adverse effects on your dental health and overall quality of life.

Schedule a Visit to the Dentist

Does your bite feel off? Whether you know exactly what’s causing the issue or you need a diagnosis, we encourage you to schedule a dental care visit. Schedule an appointment today.