Importance Of A Proper Bite

When we have patients who visit our office and are interested in straightening their teeth, most patients are only concerned about the appearance of their teeth. They want to smile and show off beautiful, straight teeth. However, when we examine patients who are considering orthodontic care, we have a different concern — their bite. In fact, we often have patients who are suffering from a different problem and are surprised to learn they have an incorrect bite and it is leading to their oral health issues. Your bite is the way your upper and lower teeth fit together when you have your mouth closed as well as when you are chewing your food.

Problems Caused By an Incorrect Bite

Some patients are surprised to learn they have issues with their bite because they are able to chew their food and have never experienced a problem. Unfortunately, with bite issues, the problem can continue to progress and it will seem like your symptoms are sudden. Problems from an incorrect bite can include:

Jaw Discomfort
When your bite is off and your jaw placement is not correct, it can lead to jaw discomfort, headaches, and even neck pain. This is caused by the constant chewing motion that is not correct. It puts added strain and pressure on the jaw.

Gum Disease
When your bite is not correct and teeth are not in the correct placement, it can be difficult to properly brush and clean your teeth. Eventually this will lead to an increase in plaque on the teeth and along the gumline, eventually developing into gum disease.

Worn Enamel and Cracked Teeth
When teeth are not biting correctly it can cause premature wear of the enamel on your teeth. This can cause tooth sensitivity and even cause teeth to crack and break.

If you are located in the Fort Lee, NJ area and are experiencing discomfort or feel you may have an issue with your bite, we encourage you to contact our office. Dr. Odinsky can perform an evaluation and determine if further treatment is needed. We look forward to helping you soon!