5 Problems You May Experience If You Continue to Ignore Your Crossbite

Causes of Crossbites

Crossbites are mostly caused by genetics, which means that you got the condition from one of your parents or grandparents. 

It can also happen if you don't lose your baby teeth early enough, if you sucked your thumb at an early age or used a baby bottle/pacifier when you were young. Because of these problems, the roof of your mouth may not grow correctly.

A crossbite can also be caused by or made worse by bad chewing habits. Crossbites can be caused by tumors in the jaw or mouth, injuries to the jaw, or not taking care of your teeth well. 

If you don't get your crossbite fixed, it can put too much stress on your jawbone, which can lead to a number of more serious problems.

Untreated Crossbites

Can Lead to Visibly Worn Teeth

When you have a crossbite, your teeth don't meet in the right way. If you don't have a solid, straight bite, your teeth may wear down faster and in different places, specifically when you chew food.

Could Bring Cavities and Tooth Decay

Crossbites can cause a lot of wear on the teeth, which can make them very sensitive. Therefore, your teeth can become vulnerable to tooth decay and cavities can be caused by damage to your teeth.

Lead to Poor Hygiene

Because teeth are out of place, it can be hard to clean them when you have a crossbite. This can lead to bad hygiene, which also makes cavities more likely to occur.

May Promote Gum Disease

If a crossbite is not treated, it can possibly lead to gum disease–a condition not to be taken lightly. 

When you have gum disease, your gums get red, swollen, and may even bleed. Gum disease can cause bone loss, loss of teeth, and maybe even other serious health problems!

Can Likely Lead to Jaw Problems

Crossbites that are not fixed can also cause jaw pain and problems with the jaw, such as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ). 

Over time, a crossbite can also cause pain in the face, head, neck, and shoulders because of the amount of added pressure to the jaw.

How Do You Take Care of a Crossbite?

To take care of your crossbite, there are a few available options:

Traditional braces, which use hardware to move your teeth into place, are one choice. 

A removable device, like a headgear or a retainer, can also be used to move your teeth back into place. 

But one of the most convenient options offered today is Clear Aligners, a newer, more discreet way to straighten your teeth. It is also a removable device made of clear plastic that shifts your teeth back into place over time.

The staff at Lakes Family Dental provide Clear Aligners, which can fix crossbites without the embarrassment of wearing headgear or visually unpleasant traditional braces. 

Call us at 956-271-6612 or Click today to set up an appointment or take advantage of a Free Clear Aligners Consultation session with the staff at Lakes Family Dental to finally treat your crossbite!