You may be surprised to find out that if you don’t like your smile, getting your teeth whitened or replaced won’t solve all your problems. While you may think the issue is completely aesthetic, the common denominator of most of the problems in your mouth, from pain to tooth alignment, is your bite.
What is a “bite”?
Your bite is determined by the placement of your teeth and the position of your jaw. A number of factors are associated with your bite. But ideally when you close your mouth, your teeth should meet evenly and one row should not overlap the other. Types of bites include:
- Open bite - Poor positioning of the teeth causes the teeth to not close or not come together properly in the front of your mouth.
- Deep bite - Also known as a closed bite, your upper teeth cover your bottom teeth when you bite down.
- Overbite - This is the overlapping of the upper teeth over the bottom teeth.
- Under bite - It’s when your lower teeth stick out past your upper teeth.
How does your bite affect you?
According to cosmetic dentist D. Gordon Rye, D.D.S, of Rye Smiles for Life in Virginia, nearly all everyone who comes to him requesting cosmetic dentistry needs to have their bite corrected. Most cases of teeth grinding or unevenness can be attributed to bite placement being off. Similarly, every time you swallow, your upper and lower teeth come together and push against your skull. And, on average, you will swallow about 2,000 times per day. And, if your bite is off, that constant pressure could result in soreness in your jaw. This can also lead to tension, headaches, and earaches, which unfortunately, many people learn to deal with. A lot of people just become accustomed to their bite without ever knowing that it can be fixed, explains Dr. Rye.
In order to best correct the problem Dr. Rye uses a computer analysis system which focuses on muscle activity. Then, once the proper placement of the teeth is determined, the teeth can be adjusted. Sometimes the movement is only microscopic, but it makes a tremendous difference.
Besides providing you with a new level of comfort, this also provides a base for the creation of a more permanent tooth structure. If you suffer from TMJ, or are considering veneers or braces, chances are your dentist or orthodontist will work to properly place your bite. Because even if you have a great new set of teeth, but still have an improperly placed bite, you will likely continue to suffer from some of the same persistent problems as before.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
