If you have an overbite, you're not alone. In fact, about 20% of the total population has a less than ideal bite, according to PubMed.gov. Many assume that overbite issues are not very important and are simply aesthetic in nature. However, there are a lot of reasons why you should have your overbite corrected, aside from the aesthetic problems. With that being said, let's look into why overbites need to be taken seriously, and what you can do to correct them.
What Is An Overbite?
At the simplest level, an overbite is when your upper front teeth protrude over your lower front teeth. The reality is that many people have slight overbites, but the more severe an overbite is, the more visibly noticeable it becomes. An overbite can be the result of nail biting, teeth grinding, thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, excessive use of a pacifier, or it can just be genetic.
While there are steps that you can take to prevent an overbite from becoming extreme, like limiting the use of pacifiers past the age of three years old. Typically, you would recognize the symptoms of an extreme overbite such as speech issues, jaw pain, discomfort while eating, or discomfort while fully opening or closing your mouth.
Why Do I Need To Correct My Overbite?
If your symptoms aren't already quite noticeable, you may not understand why it's so important for you to have work done to correct your overbite. The longer your overbite goes uncorrected, the worse it tends to become over time. You can even develop breathing problems due to your overbite, as well as gum disease, pain while chewing and jaw pain, and tooth decay.
Yes, there is an initial investment involved when you correct your overbite. However, it is very important to correct these issues before they become much more expensive to correct. Additionally, you'll be saving yourself a lot of stress and pain, not to mention potential long term health issues.
All things considered, your overbite deserves and requires your attention. Contact the friendly team at Evenly today to learn more about overbites and if orthodontic treatment is right for you!
