Bite Problems

Problems with the bite are surprisingly common. Data shows that up to 65% of the adult population in the UK have some symptoms... they are often triggered or aggravated by stress.

How the teeth "fit" or bite together is very important for comfort and health, a bite which is in conflict can manifest itself in many ways... sometimes within the mouth, for example teeth or fillings breaking, tooth sensitivity, gum recession. But also outside the mouth, such as headaches and neck pain, noise in the jaw joints often with pain or stiffness, tinnitus, poor sleep, tingling in fingertips, dizziness and postural problems.

Left untreated the symptoms can increase and become quite damaging and debilitating.

What can we do?

• Analyze how your teeth and jaws feel, are they truly comfortable?
• Visit your dentist and have a full examination of your teeth, joints and muscles
• Have bite problems corrected early when possible to prevent further damage
• De-stress as much as possible- exercise, massage, meditation... whatever works for you
• Treatment may be needed and can be very effective but all methods require time and a degree of effort at home to succeed.

Neuromuscular Dentistry

Treating and correcting bite problems using neuromuscular dentistry is extremely effective. For a client with relevant symptoms such as those mentioned above the first step is to relax the head and neck musculature, then to stabilise the jaw in this new, muscularly relaxed position.

A complete diagnosis is made with the benefit of muscle scans, joint sonography, computerised jaws scans and CT/MRI.

Treatment often consists of three phases:

1. Muscle relaxation - this is carried out via a process called ULF Tens, which uses low frequency, rhythmic pulse to the relax the muscle and jaw system.
   
   
2. Stabilisation - once the relaxed position is found, a plastic orthotic is worn to maintain the relaxed muscles and to ensure that the original, painful symptoms have disappeared.
   
   
3. Solution - the long term solution can involve one of or a combination of the following; coronoplasty - very accurate adjustment of tooth shape, orthodontics to move teeth or porcelain restorations all of which can secure a healthy, great-looking smile as an added benefit.