
A crossbite is a dental problem that typically appears when a child starts growing teeth, and sometimes the alignment doesn’t correct itself when adult teeth emerge. Ideally, teeth grow straight up and down, but in a crossbite, some of the teeth are tilted toward the cheeks or the tongue.
Although it’s sometimes seen as simply bothersome and unattractive, an untreated crossbite can actually cause a number of more significant problems. The skilled team at Fresh Dental Care, led by Dr. Joseph Nguyen, provides high-quality treatment for your crossbite.
A crossbite primarily comes from heredity, meaning you inherited the condition through your genes from one of your parents. It can also be caused by not losing your baby teeth early enough, as well as thumb sucking or use of a baby bottle or pacifier in early childhood. These issues can cause your palate (the roof of your mouth) to develop incorrectly.
Bad chewing habits can cause or worsen a crossbite. Tumors of the jaw or mouth, jaw injuries, or bad dental care can cause a crossbite to develop. An untreated crossbite can put excessive stress on your jawbone, leading to a number of more serious issues.
A crossbite keeps your teeth from meeting in the correct way. When you’re chewing food, this can result in your teeth wearing down prematurely and unevenly because of not having a solid, straight bite.
Teeth that are excessively worn down by a crossbite can turn very sensitive. Damage to your teeth can cause tooth decay and cavities.
The misalignment of teeth in a crossbite can make teeth cleaning especially challenging. Poor hygiene can result, increasing the likelihood of cavities.
Gum disease is a very serious condition that can result from an untreated crossbite. In gum disease, your gums grow inflamed and swollen and may bleed. Gum disease can lead to bone loss, tooth loss, and potentially other significant health problems.
An untreated crossbite can also lead to jaw pain and jaw problems, like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). The excessive pressure on the jaw from a crossbite can also cause facial pain, headaches, neck, and shoulder pain over time.
The team at Fresh Dental Care uses the latest orthodontic treatments to address your crossbite. Dr. Nguyen determines which treatment is best to restore your smile and correct your bite.
One option is traditional braces, which use hardware that straightens your teeth. Another option is a removable device, such as a headgear or a retainer, to gently move your teeth back into alignment. A newer, discreet treatment option is Invisalign®, which is a removable device made of clear plastic that gradually shifts your teeth back into their correct position.
Call or click today to contact the team at Fresh Dental Care and set up an appointment to get your crossbite treated!