Human teeth are designed to
fit together in a specific pattern. Your bite is the way your upper and lower
teeth fit together. If your upper teeth fit slightly over your lower teeth and
the points of your molars fit the grooves of the opposite molars, then you most
likely have an ideal bite.
If you are like most people,
you probably weren’t born with an ideal bite, and this may not be a huge issue.
However, for many people having a bite that is less than ideal can lead to
excessive and uneven tooth wear, jaw joint pain, muscle problems, and
headaches.
Although it can be difficult
to identify exactly what an ideal bite should look like, there are some general
rules that you can use to look at your teeth that will help you decide whether
you should book an appointment with Drs. Quest and Johnson.
To fully understand what an ideal bite should look like, you will need to look at your teeth from three
different views.
From the Front:
When you look in the mirror
the edges of your top teeth should follow the curve of your bottom lip. When
your teeth are clenched together, about 90% of your bottom teeth should be
visible. In an ideal bite, the upper arch is slightly wider than the lower. The
upper midline should line up with the middle of the upper lip and the lower
midline should line up with the top one.
When your teeth are closed,
looking at the front view can also help you identify the presence of certain
orthodontic problems. For example, if your upper row of teeth doesn’t cover
your lower teeth, it’s possible that you may have an open bite.
From the Side:
When looking at the side view
of your teeth, when your bite is closed, the pointed ends of your top teeth
should rest nicely within the gap between two of your lower teeth and the edges
of your upper teeth should not bite directly on the edges of your lower teeth.
In general, your bite should close without experiencing any obstacles or issues
that leave your bite slightly open.
Examining your bite from the
right or left side may be difficult to do, but just know that your teeth should
meet like cogs in a wheel. If your upper teeth are draped over the bottom ones,
it’s likely that you are suffering from an overbite. When the bottom front teeth
are positioned out over your top teeth, this is referred to as an underbite.
From the Bottom:
To examine your upper and
lower rows of teeth, look in the mirror with your mouth opened wide. Both your
upper and lower rows of teeth should follow a standard curve. They should all
be touching each other with no overlapping or spacing between them. If you
notice any overlapping or spacing, it’s likely that you are suffering from
crooked or widely spaced teeth.
Taking a good look at your
teeth from these three different views is an effective way to determine whether
or not you have an ideal bite. However, to be confident about your ideal bite,
consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. Quest and Dr. Johnson. A short
complimentary consultation will allow you to identify your next course of
action.
Having properly
aligned teeth isn’t just about enhancing your smile, it’s also about improving
your oral health, and reducing your risk of common dental problems such as
tooth wear, tooth decay and gum disease. If you find that your bite isn’t as
good as you would like it to be, contact Quest Johnson Orthodontics today so
that we can schedule your initial orthodontic consultation and help you
determine which treatment is right for your needs.
