Misshapen, crooked or misaligned teeth are often seen as a cosmetic concern, but they can also lead to functional problems. Our teeth are designed to work together as a team. Just like a rower out of sync can throw off a boat’s rhythm, a single out-of-place tooth can cause others to work harder or lose the protection they need during daily function. This imbalance can contribute to jaw joint issues, muscle pain and headaches. If the misalignment stems from airway issues during childhood, it may also be linked to snoring or sleep apnoea. In many cases, straightening the teeth not only improves appearance, but also helps resolve these underlying concerns.

Our airways play a vital role in how we develop as children and how we function as adults. If a child struggles to breathe properly and begins to breathe through their mouth, it can influence the way their airway and jaws form. Underdeveloped jaws may reduce nasal airflow and lead to clenching or grinding of the teeth, both during childhood and later in life.

As adults, these issues can progress into temporo-mandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ/D), facial pain, snoring or obstructive sleep apnoea. Over time, they may contribute to rapid tooth wear and even tooth loss. In many cases, management can be as simple as wearing a custom night guard designed to support each patient’s individual needs, whether for pain relief or improving sleep quality.

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It is not uncommon to see tooth grinding, jaw clicking and head or neck pain linked to an unbalanced bite, often referred to as TMJ or TMD. In many cases, this bite issue can be traced back to airway and breathing difficulties during childhood. These might include a blocked nose, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, allergies, hay fever or even past trauma. When left untreated, these problems can lead to habitual mouth breathing, which often continues into adulthood. In this scenario, the airway is more prone to collapsing during sleep, increasing the risk of snoring and sleep apnoea.

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