Malocclusion in Adults: How Your Bite Affects Your Jaw, Airway & Whole-Body Health

If you’re experiencing jaw tension, worn teeth, clenching, headaches, or shifting teeth, the root cause may be your bite.

This condition is called malocclusion, a misalignment between the upper and lower teeth when you close your mouth.

While many people associate orthodontics with teenagers, bite imbalance is extremely common in adults and often becomes more noticeable over time. At Lotus Dental Wellness in Lake Oswego, we evaluate malocclusion through a holistic, airway-focused lens, because your bite affects far more than your smile.

What Is Malocclusion?

Malocclusion simply means your teeth and jaws do not align properly. The concept was originally classified by Edward Angle, but modern biological dentistry recognizes that bite alignment influences:

• Jaw joint stability (TMJ health)

• Airway space and breathing

• Muscle tension in the head and neck

• Tooth wear and fracture risk

• Gum and bone health

• Long-term facial structure

Common types of malocclusion in adults include:

• Deep overbite

• Underbite

• Crossbite

• Open bite

• Crowding or shifting teeth

• Bite collapse from grinding

Even small imbalances can create chronic muscular compensation.

Why Malocclusion Often Worsens in Adulthood

As we age, several factors can shift the bite:

• Chronic clenching or grinding (bruxism)

• Inflammation or periodontal bone loss

• Missing teeth

• Restorative work that altered occlusion

• Hormonal changes affecting connective tissue

• Airway instability during sleep

Over time, your body adapts, until it can’t.

Symptoms adults commonly report include:

• Jaw clicking or popping

• Facial tension

• Headaches or migraines

• Neck and shoulder pain

• Worn or flattened teeth

• Gum recession

• Sleep disruption

• A feeling that the bite is “off”

Treating the symptoms alone rarely solves the underlying imbalance.

The Holistic Dentistry Perspective

At Lotus Dental Wellness, we ask deeper questions:

• Is your bite structurally stable?

• Is your airway supported?

• Are bite forces evenly distributed?

• Is inflammation contributing to breakdown?

• Are we supporting long-term biologic harmony?

Your mouth is part of a system. When your bite is balanced, your muscles, joints, and airway function more efficiently.

Whole-Body Benefits of Correcting Malocclusion

Improved Airway & Sleep

Jaw alignment affects tongue position and airway space. Correcting bite imbalances can support nasal breathing and reduce strain during sleep.

Many adults who grind at night are compensating for airway or bite instability.

Reduced Headaches & Neck Tension

The jaw connects directly to cervical muscles. Balanced occlusion often reduces muscular overactivation that contributes to tension headaches and chronic neck strain.

Protection Against Tooth Wear

Uneven bite forces accelerate:

• Enamel erosion

• Cracking and fractures

• Gum recession

• Bone stress

Balanced forces protect long-term tooth integrity.

Better Chewing & Digestive Support

Efficient chewing is the first step in digestion. A stable bite improves mechanical breakdown of food and nutrient absorption.

Facial Structure Support

Severe overbite or bite collapse can reduce lower facial height and contribute to premature aging. Restoring structural alignment supports facial harmony.

Adult Treatment Options at Lotus Dental Wellness

Treatment is personalized and biologically guided.

Clear Aligner Therapy for Adults

We offer CandidPro Clear Aligner Therapy, a discreet system designed for adult bite correction.

CandidPro can:

• Improve occlusion

• Reduce crowding

• Correct overbite or crossbite

• Support airway-conscious treatment planning

Digital planning allows us to evaluate occlusal changes before treatment begins.

Myofunctional Therapy

If tongue posture or mouth breathing contributes to instability, muscle retraining may be recommended to improve long-term stability.

Occlusal Adjustment & Bite Balancing

Selective reshaping or restorative refinement can evenly distribute forces.

Restorative Rebuilding

In cases of severe wear or bite collapse, restoring vertical dimension may be necessary to stabilize the system.

When Should You Schedule a Bite Evaluation?

Consider evaluation if you experience:

• Grinding or clenching

• Jaw discomfort

• Shifting teeth

• Chronic headaches

• Uneven tooth wear

• Sleep concerns

• TMJ symptoms

Early correction prevents long-term breakdown.

A Balanced Bite Is Preventive Medicine

Correcting malocclusion isn’t cosmetic, it’s functional healthcare.

At Lotus Dental Wellness in Lake Oswego, we focus on biologic stability, airway health, and long-term structural balance.

If your bite feels unstable, your body may already be compensating.

Addressing it now protects your smile, and supports your whole-body wellness.