Orthodontics: Why You Should Fix Your Overbite
Posted on: 29 January 2015
Fixing a bite issue is a common reason to get braces and other forms of orthodontia. One of these bite issues is an overbite which occurs when your top row of teeth come down over your bottom teeth when you bite down. Not only is this not visually appealing, but there are other reasons you should fix the overbite. Here is more information about why you want to fix it and what your options are.
What causes overbites?
It can help to first know the cause of overbites so that you can avoid some of these bad habits and prevent worsening of your overbite. One of the most common causes of overbites is genetics, so there is no way to prevent it in this case. If you have a parent or grandparent with an overbite, chances are you will have one as well. You may also get an overbite from childhood habits, such as sucking on your thumb or using a pacifier for long stretches of time. If you did not see an orthodontist as a child when your teeth were first coming in, your overbite will be worse as an adult.
Why should you fix an overbite?
You have a choice of whether or not you want to fix your overbite, but there are some reasons to consider it. The first reason is because it can be hard on your tooth enamel with an overbite. If your front teeth fall over your bottom teeth, they are constantly rubbing against the enamel, which makes your bottom teeth more prone to decay and breakage. Some people have an overbite where their back molars are constantly rubbing together, which can also mean more dental work in the future. Of course, you may also want it for appearance reasons.
How can you fix an overbite?
It used to be that the only way to treat an overbite was by wearing headgear, but now traditional orthodontics work perfectly fine. Here are some different ways that are effective at fixing an overbite:
Attach elastics – Believe it or not, simply wearing elastic rubber bands on your teeth may fix your overbite. These elastics may go across the upper teeth or lower teeth, depending on what position the dentist needs your teeth and jaw to move. These can create mild discomfort due to the pressure, but this usually only bothers you for the first day after getting them tightened.
Get a dental appliance – Appliances in your teeth are typically only used if you have a very large overbite where the lower jaw is extremely far back. In this case, a spring is inserted inside your mouth and cheeks. You will still be able to open and close your mouth normally, as well as chew, but the appliance is helping to move the jaw a little bit at a time.
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