Overbites happen when the top row of your teeth essentially covers the lower row, especially
in the front. These are caused by the unique size and shape of your jaw as well as your teeth, as
having too little room for your teeth or too much could cause an overbite.
It’s likely that your overbite is a combination of features that were inherited from your parents.
Of course, it might not seem like a big deal that your bottom row of teeth is covered. However,
you might want to reconsider getting your overbite checked out after reading about these oral
health problems it might cause.
Tooth Decay
Overbites can cause your teeth to wear down in ways they wouldn’t normally if the overbite
wasn’t present. What this means is that your teeth may be rubbing against each other and
wearing down your tooth enamel without you even realizing it. This could result in an increased
risk for tooth decay as well as tooth sensitivity in the areas with damaged enamel. Your
overbite may just be the cause of your cavities!
Jaw Pain
Since overbites are something of a strain on the teeth, they can cause persistent jaw or facial
pain similar to that of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders. Your symptoms may be worse
when chewing food or when attempting to open the mouth fully, such as while yawning. If
you’re experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder, it could be your overbite! Your dentist or an
orthodontist can assess your jaw to discover what the problem is and come up with a
treatment plan to help relieve your symptoms.
Gum Disease
It’s estimated that over 45% of Americans have gum disease! Damaged gums can come from
teeth hitting the gum tissue in a way they’re not supposed to, especially in abnormal bites. If
you have an overbite, your lower teeth may hit the gum tissue behind the front teeth. This can not only cause gum damage and inflammation, but could be a contributing factor to gum
disease, especially if you already are at risk for the disease or have gingivitis, the beginning
stage of gum disease.
What You Can Do
Fortunately, correcting an overbite is often something that can be done simply and
permanently with orthodontic treatment. You can visit your dentist to get a referral to an
orthodontist in the area. Often braces alone can correct the problem by shifting your teeth into
their proper positions. If you need further treatment such as surgical intervention, you can talk
about this with your orthodontist, however, this method of treatment is rare.
Do you have a noticeable overbite? Overbites not only make your face look shorter, they can
also be responsible for numerous oral health problems, such as tooth decay, gum disease, and
jaw pain. The only way to properly and permanently correct an overbite is with professional
treatment. Visit your dentist today to discover if an overbite could be causing your oral health
problems, and if so, what you can do about it!
