Occlusal (Bite) Disease

As you hew, you upper and lower teeth come together, pushing against the skull. If you have an uneven bite, missing teeth, or improperly aligned teeth, your muscles work harder to bring the teeth together. If you clench or grind your teeth, the strain only increases.

Teeth are negatively affected by three diseases: decay (cavities), periodontal (gum) disease, and occlusal (bite) disease. Most of us are acquainted with the signs, symptoms, and treatment of the first two, probably from personal experience.

Occlusal disease does not always present itself so obviously. Wear, sensitivity, cracks, loose teeth, breaking teeth, sore muscles, painful jaw joints, headaches - these and more can be the effects of occlusal disease. In its early stages, an obvious injury, like a broken tooth, often hides the underlying cause.

You may have a poor bite if you experience any of the following:

• You clench your jaw muscles for long periods of time.
• When you wake up in the morning, your jaw muscles feel tired and sore to the touch.
• You grind your teeth while you are sleeping.
• Your jaw clicks and pops upon opening.
• Your head or jaw muscles feel painful when you touch it.
• Your ears ache or you hear ringing.
• You have neck, shoulder or back pain.
• You feel dizzy.