Is Your Bite Sabotaging Your Smile? How Misalignments Affect Your Oral Health

How Bite Issues Affect Your Oral Health

When you think about the perfect smile, straight white teeth probably come to mind. But there’s more to a healthy mouth than just appearance. Your bite—the way your upper and lower teeth come together—greatly affects your oral health. A misaligned bite, also known as malocclusion, can negatively impact your teeth, gums, jaw, and even digestion. Learn about the most common bite problems and how they affect your mouth.

Types of Bite Issues

Not all bite problems look the same. Here’s how to tell the difference between the most common types:

• An overbite is when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth more than they should. While a slight overbite is no cause for concern, too much overlap can cause a bucktoothed appearance. In extreme cases, the upper teeth may completely cover the lower teeth, or the lower teeth may dig into the gums.
• In an underbite, the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. This creates a bulldog appearance, makes chewing awkward, and puts stress on the jaw.
• A crossbite happens when one or more upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when you bite down. It can affect a single tooth, a group of teeth, or even your entire bite.
• With an open bite, the upper and lower teeth don’t meet when the mouth is closed. Common causes include tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.

The Impact on Oral Health

Bite issues aren’t just cosmetic—they can lead to real problems for your teeth, gums, and overall health. Here’s why you shouldn’t ignore malocclusion:

• Tooth wear and damage: When your bite is off, some teeth bear more pressure than they’re designed to withstand. The extra stress wears your teeth down faster and can lead to chipping, cracking, and enamel erosion.
• Gum disease and tooth decay: Crowded or misaligned teeth are tougher to clean properly. This makes them perfect hiding spots for plaque and bacteria, increasing gum disease and cavity risk.
• Jaw pain and TMJ disorders: A bad bite can push your jaw out of its natural position. The strain often causes jaw pain, headaches, and difficulty opening or closing your mouth.
• Speech problems: Open bites and severe overbites can interfere with how your tongue and lips form certain sounds. This can make speech difficult, especially with sounds like “s” and “th.”
• Digestive problems: Chewing is the first step of digestion. Malocclusion can make it harder to chew, leading to larger food particles entering your stomach. This can cause indigestion and interfere with how well your body absorbs nutrients.

Fix Bite Issues in NYC

If you’re ready to fix your bite and improve your oral health, turn to Park 56 Dental. We offer general dentistry, cosmetic treatments, Invisalign, and oral surgery to get your bite back on track. The sooner you act, the easier it is to avoid negative long-term effects. We have proudly served the 10022 zip code community since 1997, creating healthy, confident smiles in a spa-like environment. See for yourself why we’ve been voted the top dentist in New York—book your appointment today!