When patients seek a perfect smile, their main concern is often the appearance of their crooked or crowded teeth. Misaligned teeth are indeed a cause for concern, as they can make general oral care a difficult and less effective task—in addition to their unwanted appearance. Having said that, misaligned teeth aren’t the only problem braces correct. More importantly, braces provide an ideal bite.
Similar to that of crooked teeth, a poor bite could pose a threat to your oral health, in addition to causing pain in the jaw. At Trapnell Orthodontics, we know the importance of an ideal bite and we’d like to share that information with our Utah County patients. Attaining an ideal bite will save you from the aches and issues often associated with such, so let’s take a look at what makes an ideal bite and why it’s so essential.
What is an Ideal Bite?
From cross bites to underbites, a poor bite can be defined in numerous ways. An ideal bite, on the other hand, can only be defined one way. When the teeth bite together in an ideal bite, all of the teeth should come into contact at the same time. The spaces between your front two top and bottom teeth should also be aligned, otherwise, it’s known as a cross bite.
Of course, all the teeth coming into contact isn’t the only factor in an ideal bite. If the top front teeth don’t sit perfectly on top of the lower, the top teeth should only cover about half of the bottom teeth. For the most part, these are the main aspects of an ideal bite, but what’s the importance of all this?
Importance of an Ideal Bite
A poor bite can have a variety of effects on your teeth, jaw, and muscles. Excessive pressure on a tooth may be one result, while persistent headaches may be another. When a bite is misaligned, it can put more strain on the jaw or certain teeth, potentially damaging teeth and causing pain in the jaw muscles. All of this makes the importance of an ideal bite clear. Take a look at the problems that often arise with poor bites below:
- Tooth pain
- Loose or lost teeth
- Chipped or cracked teeth
- Headaches
- Sore muscles
- Loss of supporting bone
- Joint pain
- Clicking or popping in the jaw
Achieve an Ideal Bite at Trapnell Orthodontics
There’s no denying how essential an ideal bite is to your teeth and jaw. While straight teeth are always desirable, and also beneficial, the point of braces is to correct both misaligned bites and teeth. Doing so will not only improve the appearance of your smile, but it will also prevent damage to your teeth, joint problems, and even chewing difficulty.
If you’re concerned about your bite, contact us today! We serve patients in Provo, Payson, Springville, and Spanish Fork!
