YOUR BITE: WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

A person's bite, or the way the top and bottom teeth come together, is a crucial aspect in the way a person speaks, eats, and swallows. The muscles of the face and jaw, the positioning of the teeth and the bite, the joints of the jaw, and the muscles of the head and neck, play a significant role in a person's well-being.

When we look good, we naturally feel good about ourselves. Conversely, if our appearance is not appealing, that may affect our self-esteem. Of the entire body, no other body part can compare with our face when it comes to considerations about one’s physical appearance. 

Having an over-bite/under-bite as a result of a protruding jaw line not only looks undesirable, but such a jaw shape may also affect our speech and eating habits.

What is under-bite?

An under-bite is referred to as a type of malocclusion, which is protrusion of the lower jaw due to misalignment, or having a bad bite. 

                                                         

Sufferers often experience irregular wearing of the teeth, causing the lower teeth to grow or extend past the upper front teeth. 

The risk for developing serious jaw problems and conditions for one to ignore the under-bite is higher. TMJ Disorder is a very popular condition that an under-bite will lead to.

Others symptoms include difficulty in chewing, speech and breathing problems. In general, about five percent of the population experiences this, and it is interesting to note that this ailment is high among Asians.

 

What is overbite?

Overbite is the opposite of under-bite where the upper jaw protrudes more than the lower jaw, causing the upper teeth to ‘overhang’. The upper and lower teeth do not coincide properly in overbite, causing the sufferer to experience the same set of problems.

 

Both conditions could also lead to temporo-mandibular joint disorder (TMD), where the misalignment causes excess pressure on the jaw point. TMD could lead to the limitation of the range of motion of the jaw point and pain in the area. Undergoing corrective surgery may prevent further complications.

“Having a good set of teeth means much more than just having the ability to flush a nice, warm smile.”

RISK FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE EXPRESSION OF PERIODONTAL DISEASE

Healthy Mouth = Healthy Body

Untreated periodontal disease in effect “seeds”
the bloodstream with disease - causing bacteria.

• SMOKING – Smoking increases the risk of getting gum disease by 4x more than nonsmokers. It is responsible for more than half of the adult gum disease.

• DIABETES MELLITUS – Diabetes is the sixth leading cause of death in U>S> Almost one-third of individuals with diabetes have severe periodontal disease.

• OSTEOPOROSIS – Periodontal disease caused a 4x higher frequency of height loss in the jaw.

• PRETERM BIRTH - Gums infected with periodontal disease are toxic reservoirs of disease causing bacteria. The toxins produced by the bacteria attack the gums, ligaments, and bone surrounding the teeth to produce infected pockets that are similar to large infected wounds in your mouth. The infected pockets provide access to your bloodstream allowing bacteria to travel throughout your body.Women with periodontal disease are 3-5 times greater risk of a preterm birth than those who have no gum disease.

• HEART DISEASE - One potential risk factor for heart disease is advanced gum disease.Thus periodontal disease increases severity and risk of heart disease and stroke. Periodontal bacteria ( C-reactive protein CPR ) gains entry into the systemic circulation with bactermia causing changes in blood vessel walls and exacerbated atherosclerotic plaque. The connection between gum disease and heart attacks is higher than the connection between high cholesterol and heart attacks?

• STROKE - Risk for stroke is 2.8 times greater for individual with gum disease than those without periodontal disease.

• PULMONARY INFECTION AND ORAL DISEASES   -Inhaling harmful bacteria from the infection in your gums into your lungs which can cause pneumonia, bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

CROWNS AND BRIDGES

WHAT IS A CROWN?

A crown is commonly called a cap. It may be thought of as a ‘cover’ as it covers, or replaces, that part of the tooth seen in the mouth.

WHY DO A CROWN?

A crown can be done for many reasons. Most often, it is done when a tooth is

·       Badly decayed or chipped

·       Discoloured or mis-shaped

chipped and discoloured teeth

 

HOW IS A CROWN DONE?

To put it simply, the tooth is trimmed to make space for the final crown. Moulds are then taken of this tooth for a custom-made crown to be made in a laboratory according to your dentist’s instructions. When the crown is ready, it is slipped over the tooth and firmly cemented in place.

 

WHAT IS A BRIDGE?

A bridge is a special kind of denture when the artificial tooth is fixed to natural teeth next to it (often by means of crowns). A bridge is compact and feels like natural teeth but it can only be done in specially selected cases.

WHAT IS A CROWN MADE OF?

It can be made of porcelain or metal or combinations of gold alloys and porcelain. Special types of glass and plastics can also be used. Your dentist will choose the material best suited for your case.

porcelain crown

metal crown

HOW DO I CARE FOR MY CROWN?

Carefully daily brushing and flossing are essential to keep the gums around the crown healthy. Also don’t crack ice, bones etc. as this may chip the porcelain. Regular check-ups by your dentist are also necessary. Remember, crowns and bridges are only as good as they are maintained.

WHY ARE CROWNS & BRIDGES EXPENSIVE?

Crowns & bridges are long-term restorations. Making them requires the considerable skill and time of your dentist and a technician working in a specially equipped laboratory. The crown itself is often made of precious metals. When you pay for your crown, you’re paying for all these.

WOMEN & PERIODONTAL DISEASE

A WOMAN’S NEEDS

A woman’s body undergoes changes during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy and menopause. The hormonal changes that occur at these stages may affect the gums and increase the woman’s risk to periodontal (gum) disease.

WHAT IS PERIODONTAL DISEASE?

Periodontal disease or gum disease is caused by bacteria and toxins (poisons) found in dental plaque. Dental plaque is the sticky, colourless layer that forms on teeth constantly. The bacteria and toxins cause the gums to swell slightly, turn red and bleed easily. Depending on where this occurs, you may not be able to detect this. This stage is known as gingivitis. There is little or no pain. The most common complaint at this time is “My gums bleed when I brush my teeth”.

As the disease continues, the bacteria and toxins then invade the gums and destroy the bone supporting the teeth. The teeth become loose and may be lost. This stage is periodontitis. Most of this time, pain occurs at the later stages of the disease.

If you don’t know the state of your periodontal (gum) health, ask at your next dental visit. Hormonal changes can be a contributing factor in increasing your chances of getting gum disease or make an existing gum problem worse.

Healthy gums

Gum disease (Periodontitis)

PUBERTY AND MENSTRUATION

During puberty, there is an increased level of hormones such as progesterone and oestrogen. These hormones may cause an increase in the gums’ sensitivity and lead to a greater reaction to food particles and plaque present. The gums become swollen turn red and may feel painful to the touch.

Gum swellings between teeth

Some women experience similar symptoms 3 to 4 days prior to their period. Others may experience menstruation gingivitis which is characterized by bleeding gums, a bright red swelling of the gums between teeth and sores or ulcers in the mouth. This usually clears up once her period starts.

It’s important to keep good oral hygiene during these hormonal changes so that the bone and gums surrounding the teeth are not affected.

PREGNANCY

Pregnancy epuli

Women can experience pregnancy gingivitis beginning in the second or third month. It may increase in severity throughout the pregnancy. The gums become swollen, red, may be painful and may bleed. In some cases, the gums react strongly to food particles and plaque to form swellings, the swellings are called pregnancy epuli and are usually painless. Some of them disappear after pregnancy but some remain and may require removal by a dentist.

The best way to avoid these gum problems during pregnancy is to begin with healthy gums. If you are thinking of getting pregnant, visit your dentist for a dental check-up. Ask your dentist to check on the condition of your gums and how well you are brushing your teeth.

If you are pregnant, you need to know that your oral health can affect the health of your baby.

Early reports show that infection during pregnancy, including periodontal (gum) infection, may pose a risk for delivering a premature, low birth weight baby. Include dental health check-ups in your prenatal care. Preventive dental care will go a long way in ensuring a trouble-free dental status during your pregnancy.

ORAL CONTRACEPTIVES

If you are taking oral contraceptives (birth control pills or hormonal supplements), you may also be prone to similar gum conditions experienced by pregnant women. This is because the synthetic hormones in these pills copy the hormones in pregnancy. You will also need to know that certain antibiotics can interact with the oral contraceptives and lesson their effectiveness. As such, it is important to mention all medications that you are taking to your medical and dental care providers.

MENOPAUSE

Menopausal or post-menopausal women may experience discomfort on the mouth including pain and burning sensations in the gums tissue, altered taste and dry mouth. Hormonal replacement therapy (HRT) may relieve these symptoms but a consultation with a doctor is always required assess the risk and benefits of each woman first. “Saliva substitutes ” are available in the form of rinses and gels to lessen the effects of a  dry mouth and burning sensation if necessary.

CONCLUSION

Each phase of a woman’s life brings with it many changes. Your oral health at these times are important to your overall health and well-being. Careful attention to home dental care and regular professional check-ups will ensure healthy gums and teeth for a lifetime.