A dentist, Dr Adebayo Onisarotu, on Tuesday said that early detection of teeth disorder could prevent future complications.
Onisarotu of the General Hospital, Gbagada, Lagos, said this in Abuja.
However, he warned that some disorders could be difficult to treat.
According to him, most cases of malocclusion, which is a disorder, could be hereditary.
He described malocclusion as a misalignment of or incorrect relation between the teeth of the two dental arches when they approach each other as the jaw close.
“Occlusion is a term that is used to refer to the alignment of your teeth. Ideally, your teeth should fit easily within your mouth without any crowding or spacing issues
“Also, none of your teeth should be rotated or twisted. The teeth of your upper jaw should slightly overlap the teeth of your lower jaw so that the pointed ridges of your molars fit into the groves of the opposite molar.
“Parents of young children should limit pacifier and bottle use to help reduce changes in the development of the jaw,’’ Onisarotu said.
He said that early detection of malocclusion may help cut down on the length and severity of the treatment needed to correct the problem.
The dentist said deviations from ideal occlusion are known as malocclusion, saying the type of deviation varies, but any type of misalignment can cause issues.
“Alignment of upper teeth is needed to prevent the cheeks and lips from being bitten, while alignment of lower teeth is needed to protect the tongue from being bitten.
“Malocclusion is usually an inherited condition. This means it can be passed down from one generation to the next,’’ he said.
Onisarotu said there are some conditions or habits that may change the shape and structure of the jaw.
“Such habits that may change the structure of the jaws include cleft lip and palate, frequent use of a pacifier after the age of three-years and prolonged use of bottle feeding in early childhood.
“Others are thumb sucking in early childhood, injuries that result in the misalignment of the jaw, tumours in the mouth or jaw, impacted teeth and poor dental care,’’ he said.
Onisarotu said depending on the classification of malocclusion, the symptoms of the disorder may be subtle or severe.
He said malocclusion of teeth was usually diagnosed through routine dental exams, properly examination of the teeth and dental X-rays would determine if your teeth were properly aligned.
“Most people with mild malocclusion will not require any treatment. However, your dentist may refer you to an orthodontist if your malocclusion is severe.
“Depending on your type of malocclusion, your orthodontist may recommend various treatments. These can include braces to correct the position of the teeth and removal of teeth to correct overcrowding.
“Others are reshaping, bonding or capping of teeth, surgery to reshape or shorten the jaw and wires or plates to stabilize the jaw bone,’’ Onisarotu said.
He, however, advised Nigerians to consult their dentist if they notice any strange things or pains around their teeth.
