Do you have a malocclusion? If it sounds scary, don’t be alarmed. All a malocclusion means is that your teeth are not properly aligned.
How can you tell if you have a malocclusion? There are several signs, including biting your tongue and inner cheeks, breathing through your mouth instead of your nose, or developing speech issues like a lisp.
There’s no one single cause of a malocclusion. If you suspect you have one, the best thing to do is visit an orthodontist. He or she will take dental x-rays and determine whether or not you have a Class 1, Class 2, or Class 3 malocclusion.
If you do have a malocclusion, the orthodontist will determine the best treatment for you based on your age, medical history, and overall health, among other things. Braces are the most well-known treatment, but you could get your teeth capped or reshaped. Your orthodontist might even suggest surgery to reshape your jaw.
A malocclusion can potentially cause several problems in your mouth, but it’s not hard for an orthodontist to diagnose and start treating one. For more information about malocclusions, read the following infographic
