5 Important Reasons to Correct Your Bite

While having aesthetically pleasing teeth can improve your appearance and boost confidence, there’s more to it than just a straight smile. Many people believe that orthodontic treatments are only necessary if you’re worried about how your teeth look. But have you considered your bite?

Misalignment of teeth, also known as malocclusion, is a common condition that can affect not only your smile but also the quality of your life. Correcting your bite can help improve your sleep, decrease headaches, prevent jaw pain, make eating easier, change the way you look, and more.

Our experienced aesthetic dentists at Swedish Dental can identify bite problems and help you deal with them most effectively. And here’s what they want you to know about maintaining your teeth straight and healthy.

What Are the Types of Bite Problems?

Orthodontic care is not only about the way your teeth appear but also about how your mouth functions. Having both straight whites and a correct bite can help you take your oral health to the next level. And if you’re wondering what bite problems are out there, here are some of the most common ones:

• Overbite is when the upper jaw sticks out more than your lower jaw. This can lead to biting into your gums and wearing out the front teeth.
• Underbite happens when your lower jaw sticks out more than the upper one. This can make it more difficult for you to chew and bite.
• Crossbite occurs when your teeth don’t align properly; some are in the front, and some are in the back. This can increase the risk of chipping your teeth.
• Openbite means that your teeth don’t overlap the bottom ones and there may be a gap between the two jaws. This can cause your back molars to wear out quickly.
• Crowded teeth occur when there’s not enough room in your jaw for the teeth to fit, which causes them to overlap, twist, and rub up against each other.

If you’re not sure what bite problem you have or whether you have any at all, it’s always a good idea to consult a cosmetic dentist before jumping to conclusions.

Why Fixing a Bad Bite Is So Crucial?

While an incorrect bite might not bother you at this particular moment, postponing teeth straightening can create more problems later on. And here are a few good reasons why you should consider scheduling an appointment with an orthodontist sooner than later.

You’ll Find Eating Much Easier

Misaligned teeth and uneven jaws can make eating a painful experience contribute to digestive problems because of not chewing the food properly. An incorrect bite can also cause headaches and other types of pain.

You’ll Prevent Teeth From Damaging

There are quite a few different bite problems, but they all lead to tooth damage. From making it too hard to clean them, wearing out prematurely, causing cavities, and fracturing them. So even if you don’t feel discomfort right now, your teeth will thank you for correcting your bite in time.

You’ll Sleep Better

You probably think that there’s no way your bite can be somehow connected to the quality of your sleep. Well, it is indeed. Incorrectly aligned jaws can cause neck pain and severe headaches. So if you don’t want to wake up and feel like you haven’t slept at all, it’s worth checking in with your dentist.

You Can Change the Way You Look

While you should always embrace the way you look, for some people, an incorrect bite or crooked teeth can be reasons for lower self-esteem or other problems connected to their self-image. Correcting the malocclusion can not only make your smile look straight but also help change your expressions. For example, an underbite can sometimes make you look angry when you aren’t. That’s how strong the connection between your teeth, face, and head is.

By solving your bite problem, you can keep your teeth healthier and make a few improvements to your appearance at the same time.

You’ll Keep Your Teeth Cleaner

Correcting your bite and strengthening your teeth will help you clean them easier and more efficiently. Ultimately, this will also help you prevent periodontal disease and cavities. Plus, it’ll make it much harder for food to get stuck in between your teeth and cause bad breath.

Why Should I Not Wait to Correct My Bite?

As with many other things in life, the earlier you take care of them, the better the outcome. This concerns your bite and teeth as well. Certain orthodontic procedures are easier and faster when your jaw isn’t fully developed (up to 16-18 years), and some jaw surgeries can be done after the jaw is fully formed.

Since misaligned teeth can cause discomfort and pain, it’s essential to talk to an orthodontist as soon as possible to better understand how to approach your particular problem. Everyone is different, so there’s no one-fits-all solution or timeline. However, there are many different orthodontic treatments, and your aesthetic dentist will choose the best option for your needs and budget.

While fixing your bite and aligning your teeth might take some time and require frequent visits to the dentist’s office, at the end of the day, you’re doing it for your health, and it’s all worth it. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or want to book an appointment with one of our cosmetic dentists.