Potential Health Issues That May Result from an Overbite

An overbite is a common yet often overlooked dental problems. Most individuals consider this dental issue as just an aesthetic problem. However, an overbite poses several oral and overall health problems. Read on to understand the potential issues that may result from an overbite.

What Is an Overbite?

An overbite is a type of malocclusion, which is a misalignment of the teeth. The problem occurs when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much. In some cases, the overlap may be so severe that the lower teeth may bite into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth.

Several issues may cause an overbite. In young children, an overbite may result from thumb sucking or excessive pacifier use. In addition, nail-biting, facial injuries, genetics, and tongue thrusting are potential culprits.

What Health Issues May Result From an Overbite?

Failure to rectify an overbite sooner puts you at risk of many oral and overall health issues.

Sleep Apnea

Sleep apnea occurs when you have pauses in your breathing or shallow breaths while asleep. The condition affects your sleep quality and, as a result, your overall health.

While sleep apnea may affect anyone, individuals with an overbite are at a higher risk. The reason is that when the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much, they may block your airway. As a result, you may start snoring and eventually experience sleep apnea.

Jaw Pain

An overbite puts excess strain on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Consequently, you may experience jaw pain, clicking and popping of the jaw, and difficulty chewing. In some cases, the pain may radiate to your face and ears. You may also experience problems when opening or closing your mouth.

Gum Disease

Gum disease occurs when the gums become inflamed. The inflammation usually results from plaque, a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth.

An overbite may increase your risk of gum disease in two ways. When the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much, that may make it difficult to clean all surfaces of your teeth properly. As a result, plaque and tartar may build up around the overlapping areas, leading to gum disease.

An overbite may cause your gums to recede, exposing your teeth at the roots. This issue, in turn, makes it easier for bacteria to attack the roots, leading to gum disease.

Tooth Decay

An overbite makes it challenging to reach some areas of your mouth when brushing and flossing. Consequently, plaque and tartar may build up around the overlapping areas, leading to tooth decay. Tooth decay is a severe problem because it may lead to painful tooth infections.

Teeth Wear and Tear

When the upper teeth overlap the lower teeth too much, they hit each other too hard, causing them to wear down. Additionally, if you have an overbite, you are likely to grind your teeth — a condition called bruxism — further accelerating the wear and tear.

Premature teeth wear also increases the risk of tooth decay and sensitivity, which compromises your quality of life.

When Do You Need to See a Dentist?

If you notice any signs or symptoms of an overbite, see a dentist as soon as possible for an evaluation. The sooner the problem is diagnosed, the easier and less expensive it will be to treat. Treatment usually involves wearing braces or other orthodontic devices to move the teeth into the correct position slowly.

You can trust us at Rosen Orthodontics to give you the best orthodontic treatment services to rectify your overbite and improve your smile.

We offer a range of devices such as that will not only rectify your overbite but also give you the smile of your dreams. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.