In the field of orthodontics, a malocclusion is seen in the misalignment of teeth, or teeth that don’t sit together evenly when the jaws are closed – the condition is more simply known as a bad bite. A bad bite not only looks uncomfortable, but according to dental professional Dr. Beh, Clinical Consultant and President of the Malaysian Oral Implantology Association, can lead to less-than-fulfilling social relationships and affect quality of life.

The pattern behind a bad bite can be attributed to the formation of the temporomandibular joint, deep down in the skeleton. A poorly formed temporomandibular joint will give rise to a wide range of dental problems such as the improper positioning of teeth, a protrusive or retrusive jaw, an open bite, tooth wear due to grinding and clenching of teeth, and so forth. A bad bite is likely to cause a person to be unable to breathe properly due to narrowed airways; frequently scrape or bite their tongue or cheek which come in the way of misaligned teeth; or have improper tongue resting or swallowing position.

Other body parts – including immediate areas such as the neck, shoulder, and back; further down in the pelvic area; and the whole-body posture may also be affected from a bad bite.

Related: Poor oral health can lead to big health issues

Left unchecked, a bad bite could eventually interfere with sleep and wreak havoc on an adult’s metabolism. It can similarly affect normal growth and development in children, leading to physical changes such as an elongated face, droopy eyes, narrow nostrils, trouble sealing lips, a narrowed upper jaw, or a forward/backward bite.

Dr. Beh, who suffered from bad bite as a child, recalls the discomfort the ordeal caused: as his other teeth moved to accommodate the removal of an incorrectly positioned tooth, his face became slanted, and his smile was affected. His self-confidence took a hit, as did his quality of life – even taking a picture would make him anxious as a teen. He also experienced bodily pains due to the misaligned structure of his jaw.

Today, Dr. Beh is an accomplished dentist, and has coined the Face Dental Concept which explains how the structure of one’s jaw can affect the whole body. Dr. Beh believes that dentistry can positively impact one’s life from the inside out, just as how so many bodily issues could stem from a bad bite.

The implantologist still recommends patients maintain good dental health by brushing teeth twice a day, with the correct technique; it is essential to go for a check-up every 6 months by a certified dentist for potential problems that may arise and prevent them from worsening.

For a bad bite, a dentist may opt for myofunctional therapy (appliance to train your tongue muscle and change your habits) combined with breathing techniques; orthodontics (braces or clear aligners); dental orthotics (appliance to correct the position of the jaw), or full mouth rehabilitation with either fillings or crowns/veneers, Dr. Beh said.

Chronic mouth dryness caused by inflammation of the salivary glands is a condition that can negatively affect a person’s general health, the health of their teeth and gums, and their ability to taste, chew and swallow food. It can be caused by various medical conditions, treatment regimes and medications, or may simply occur as part of the aging process. Scientists at the University of South Alabama (UA) in the US have discovered – albeit accidentally – a drug that may reduce the inflammation and prevent excessive dryness in the mouth.

Using a drug known as roflumilast to inhibit the activity of inflammation-causing phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) enzymes in the infected lungs of mice, the scientists were surprised to discover roflumilast caused increased salivation in the animals. Further analysis revealed that this was due to the inhibition of PDE4 in the salivary glands and in the autonomic nervous system, the latter of which regulates involuntary body processes.

Additional experiments showed that PDE4 inhibition also increased salivation in mice with cystic fibrosis, a disease in which inflammation not only affects patients’ ability to breath, but also frequently gives them a dry mouth.

According to UA doctoral candidate Abigail Boyd, saliva is “indispensable for oral health and overall well-being.” Boyd also admitted that new ways to treat dry mouth is much needed as current treatment options are limited. The scientist and her colleagues thus hope to conduct human trials with roflumilast as soon as possible.