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When Is It Time To Correct An Overbite?

Dentist Blog

Most people picture an overbite as being a slightly protruding upper jaw that can look kind of odd. However, overbites are not that benign. While they might not seem like more than a cosmetic problem, they can cause secondary health problems that affect your sleep and your ability to eat. If you or one of your family members has been dealing with an overbite and has not yet bothered to get it fixed, it's time to contact the dentist. Overbites can be corrected, and you should look into procedures before that overbite causes more trouble.

Too Much Damage

As you grow, your teeth still move around a bit. Even if your overbite was mild and hadn't caused a problem before, gradual tooth movement can change that situation. You might find that all of a sudden, your bite seems to be a bit off, with top and bottom molars not aligning properly. Or, you could notice your bottom teeth hitting the gum tissue of your alveolar ridge, which is that ridge behind your upper teeth. Those changes could result in gum damage or chipped teeth. If you notice changes, go see a dentist in your area to have your teeth inspected carefully.

Young Age

If the person with an overbite is a child, do what you can to get the overbite fixed now. When you're young, your jaws aren't fully done with growth, and your teeth are a lot more mobile. It's a lot easier to take care of an overbite at a younger age, so don't wait.

Future Health Problems

Even if you have a mild, mild overbite that has never caused you trouble and that has never really looked bad, you're still at risk of future health issues. Overbites, believe it or not, can cause sleep apnea. Apnea occurs when there's a blockage in the airway between your lungs and your nose and mouth. The blockage stops you from breathing, you wake up a bit and shift around to start breathing again, you fall back asleep, the blockage occurs again, and you repeat this cycle over and over. Apnea can lead to a host of terrible health problems, and the causes of the blockage can range from weird head position when sleeping to -- you guessed it -- a misaligned jaw. If it turns out your sleeping problems are really due to apnea, get that overbite checked out because surgery to correct the overbite may also get rid of the apnea.

Start off by going to your dentist and ensuring everything else is fine with your teeth and jaws, and then discuss the overbite. Depending on what's going on, you may have to be referred to an orthodontist or an oral surgeon. Your dentist will let you know what your options are.


26 April 2017