A crossbite is a dental condition where one has misaligned teeth when they bite their top and bottoms rows together. As it generally leads to various oral complications, such as pain, issues chewing food, deteriorated dental hygiene, and more, a crossbite can fortunately be corrected by a dental professional. Do you think you may have a crossbite? Keep reading to learn the causes, symptoms, and various treatments available to fix your uncomfortable crossbite condition.

Symptoms of a Crossbite

When teeth are aligned correctly, the upper and lower rows of teeth will fit tightly together over each other. In a crossbite, however, one of your rows of teeth will generally be positioned behind the other. While every person’s crossbite is unique, it’s possible where only a single tooth, rather than a whole row of teeth, may be affected. Two commonly observed types of crossbites include:

• Anterior Crossbite: Considered to be the most common form of crossbite, an anterior crossbite is seen when the lower-front teeth are positioned out in front of the upper-front teeth. An anterior crossbite is also popularly referred to as an ’underbite’.
• Posterior Crossbite: Affecting primarily the back teeth, a posterior crossbite is observed when the upper-back teeth sit inside of the lower back teeth when you bite. A posterior crossbite can either affect just one side or both sides equally.

If untreated, a crossbite can actually cause numerous uncomfortable symptoms that transcend more than just the cosmetic appearance. Common crossbite symptoms can include:

• Tooth Decay, Cavities, & Receding Gums
• Headaches & Migraines
• Oral Pain
• Difficulty Speaking
• Neck or Muscle Pain
• Sleep Apnea
• TMJ, or Joint Disorders

Causes of a Crossbite

The origins of a crossbite typically comes from one’s genetics. Meaning, if many people in your family seem to have crossbites, you’re much more likely to either be born with one or develop one over the course of your life. However, crossbites can also be created from circumstantial factors and habits, such as:

• Frequent bouts of sucking, including on a pacifier, your thumb, or any other forms of frequent sucking.
• Missing teeth may cause your other teeth to shift and form a crossbite.
• Baby teeth that either fall out too late or early.
• Biting your nails.
• Having a small jaw that doesn’t fit all your teeth. Or, having teeth too large that don’t align properly.
• Having a cleft palate or cleft lip.
• The habit of mouth breathing.

Treating a Crossbite

Depending on the type and severity of crossbite you may have, several surgical and non-surgical treatment options are available. When visiting your dental professional or preferred Orthodontist about your crossbite, they may recommend one of these treatments:

• Braces or a Clear Aligner: With the purpose to reposition teeth to a correct alignment, braces and clear aligners may work for those who have minor or moderate crossbites.
• Palatal Expander: Usually for children, a palatal expander is a common treatment to help align teeth when the wearer’s palate is still malleable. This appliance is generally placed on the roof of the patient’s mouth and widens the jaw over time.
• Crossbite Surgery: For adults who have severe crossbites, surgery may be required to fix this issue. Often recommended to adults, crossbite surgery usually consists of your orthodontist making many surgical cuts to help expand your upper jaw.
• Breaking Habits: Sometimes, for those who’ve formed a crossbite due to an incessant habit, a crossbite can improve when the individual ceases their habit. For example, if a crossbite has formed due to excessive thumb sucking, a fixed palatal crib can be inserted into the mouth to prevent the mouth from continuing this sucking habit.

GumChucks

As mentioned, the mere circumstance of having a crossbite can cause one’s mouth to have more cavities than one without a crossbite. For these individuals, possibly even you, flossing and brushing regularly, as well as maintaining overall maintaining oral health, is an even more important task. Fortunately, GumChucks is here to help.

Flossing is the only way to remove plaque from between your teeth, flossing regularly also helps keep tartar out of hard-to-reach places. GumChucks’ design ensures a flossing experience that’s faster, easier, and more effective than competing flossers or traditional floss. Our two handles with disposable floss allows you to comfortably reach all your teeth, even those in the back while wrapping the floss around each tooth. This creates the vital “C-Shape” necessary to get below the gum line and effectively clean each tooth. If you have a crossbite, then GumChucks will definitely help keep your oral health in check.