YOUR BITE: WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?

A person's bite, or the way the top and bottom teeth come together, is a crucial aspect in the way a person speaks, eats, and swallows. The muscles of the face and jaw, the positioning of the teeth and the bite, the joints of the jaw, and the muscles of the head and neck, play a significant role in a person's well-being.

When we look good, we naturally feel good about ourselves. Conversely, if our appearance is not appealing, that may affect our self-esteem. Of the entire body, no other body part can compare with our face when it comes to considerations about one’s physical appearance. 

Having an over-bite/under-bite as a result of a protruding jaw line not only looks undesirable, but such a jaw shape may also affect our speech and eating habits.

What is under-bite?

An under-bite is referred to as a type of malocclusion, which is protrusion of the lower jaw due to misalignment, or having a bad bite. 

                                                         

Sufferers often experience irregular wearing of the teeth, causing the lower teeth to grow or extend past the upper front teeth. 

The risk for developing serious jaw problems and conditions for one to ignore the under-bite is higher. TMJ Disorder is a very popular condition that an under-bite will lead to.

Others symptoms include difficulty in chewing, speech and breathing problems. In general, about five percent of the population experiences this, and it is interesting to note that this ailment is high among Asians.

 

What is overbite?

Overbite is the opposite of under-bite where the upper jaw protrudes more than the lower jaw, causing the upper teeth to ‘overhang’. The upper and lower teeth do not coincide properly in overbite, causing the sufferer to experience the same set of problems.

 

Both conditions could also lead to temporo-mandibular joint disorder (TMD), where the misalignment causes excess pressure on the jaw point. TMD could lead to the limitation of the range of motion of the jaw point and pain in the area. Undergoing corrective surgery may prevent further complications.

“Having a good set of teeth means much more than just having the ability to flush a nice, warm smile.”