When something feels off with our bodies, we go to the doctor to find out what it is. However, too often people are ignoring their dental health and figuring that it’s not that big of a deal. Especially in the realm of minor underbites and overbites, people will put them on the backburner because they consider them to be only a minor cosmetic flaw and not worth dishing out money to fix. However, ignoring your overbite can lead to health concerns that stretch beyond just a cosmetic hiccup.
What is an overbite?
An overbite is classified as when your upper jaw extends over your lower jaw. People who ignore their overbites typically only have minor cases where the teeth only overlap a few millimeters, but there are severe cases which cause facial abnormalities. With any overbite case, individuals typically suffer from headaches and jaw pain.
What causes an overbite?
The most common cause for overbites has to do with genetics. Therefore, if someone in your family has had an overbite in the past, then it is very likely that future generations will also develop one, especially if bad habits are combined with it. Thumb sucking for example in children could play a role in whether or not an individual gets an overbite as the thrusting motion of the tongue might propel the upper jaw forward.
Early Treatment
Treatment at an early age is recommended as the jaw is more malleable and has not solidified yet. Waiting until adulthood could result in surgery, a much more invasive method when it comes to correcting overbites. Severe overbites are time sensitive as failing to take care of them also affects your oral health. Being unable to clean your gums and teeth properly could lead to tooth decay and even tooth loss. Difficulty chewing could lead to malnutrition as well because of the pain that the afflicted individual suffers.
By opting in for early care, you can save yourself from all of these ailments.
Treatment
Splint therapy is ideal for those who need their jaw to be repositioned. This takes the pressure off of the nerves and then once it’s in the correct position, braces are applied to keep the jaw from shifting, though in some case, the orthodontist will recommend going straight to braces.
There are many different kinds of braces that we’ve talked about in detail in our other blogs. For details on the different kinds of braces available to you, click here.
However, there is another treatment method that we have also discussed in detail in the past that is available for those who suffer from an overbite which is headgear. With headgear, more than likely traditional metal braces would be used, but each dentist is different and they will be able to give you all the options available to you.
For more information about headgear, click here.
Blogs and articles are only able to help you some of the way. For full details on your overbite, schedule a consultation by visiting our website newburysmile.com and navigating to the Contact tab. Alternatively, you can also give us a call at +1 805-499-3691.
