A bad bite, also known as malocclusion, is a problem that occurs when there is an abnormal fitting of your upper and lower teeth when you bite or chew down on food. This condition refers to either an underbite, overbite or crossbite. The way your upper and lower teeth fit together impacts overall mouth functioning. This means that if your upper and lower teeth suffer from an underbite, overbite or crossbite, this can damage your teeth and gums and impact your long-term oral health.
Oral health impacts can include worn-out enamel, gum disease and cracked teeth. Tooth misalignment also forms part of a weak bite. The jaw muscles are powerful and can do major damage if the biting surfaces aren’t aligned properly, including making sure that your teeth remains straight.
Hence, a strong bite is very important for your oral health. Here are some important reasons:
Your Smile Will Remain Intact
If your bite goes uncorrected, it can result in damage to your teeth and gums. Even if your teeth are crowded or misaligned, your teeth will rub off each other and cause them to crack. Your enamel will also be damaged in the process. Why? This is because it’s difficult to clean between the teeth, and food can become trapped. If this happens, cavities will form as a result.
Easier To Eat and Digest Food
Tooth misalignment and other biting issues can cause jaw pain when chewing down on food. This can also escalate to facial soreness such as headaches and jaw strain. If you can’t chew properly, food becomes more stuck and, hence, problems can extend towards a lack of healthy digestion of your food.
Expensive Cosmetic Treatment
A worn-down enamel and damaged teeth will mean you’d need to fork out on expensive cosmetic treatment. This could even be a lot more regular than you think, because whilst cosmetic treatments are applied, your biting point still isn’t right. This means further damage to the cosmetic corrections as well. Therefore, save yourself money by correcting your bite first.
A First Class Appearance
A beautiful straight smile is everyone’s dream. Straight teeth not only changes the way you look but also indicates that you have strong oral health. Correcting malocclusion will help achieve this. Overbite and underbite can alter your facial appearance in ways that you don’t expect.
It Improves Communication
Malocclusion can cause people to talk with a lisp. Also, it can cause you to struggle with slurred speech depending on the position of your top teeth. With a strong bite, your communication will be sharp and strong, making it easier for others to understand you.
The benefits of correcting your bite are important for your oral health. Even if you believe your smile is great, minor misalignments may be visible that can cause wear-and-tear down the line.
If your bite needs correcting, we are here to help you. Get in touch with our experienced Wollongong dentists and Fairy Meadow Dentists today!
Dr. Ritesh Barua, a highly skilled dentist in Wollongong, graduated with Honours in 2005. With expertise in orthodontics, implants, and sleep apnoea, he stays updated on dental advancements to provide exceptional care. Dr. Ritesh Barua is dedicated to his patients’ well-being and has worked in private practice in the Illawarra since 2010.
