Overbites Linked To Oral Health Problems

Tooth Wear

An overbite will make your teeth wear down more quickly. The overbite makes the teeth grind against each other causing tooth enamel to wear down faster than is normal.

Enamel erosion will lead to an increased risk of tooth decay and tooth sensitivity. An overbite could be the cause of your cavities.

Jaw Pain

An overbite places excessive strain on the teeth and jaw joints which can eventually lead to chronic facial and jaw pain. In some instances, the overbite will lead to problems akin to those of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder.

The symptoms of jaw pain will be worse when chewing food or when attempting to fully open the mouth like when you yawn. Visit the dentist or orthodontist to have your jaw assessed and treated if a problem is identified.

Gum Disease

People with an increased overbite are at risk of damaging their gums due to their teeth hitting the gum in the opposite jaw when they chew. Teeth shouldn’t come into contact with the gums of the opposite jaw.

Increased overbites commonly cause the lower front teeth to hit the gum behind the upper  front teeth. This commonly leads to  swollen, inflamed  and damaged gum tissue. This contributes to gum disease and ultimately tooth loss in susceptible the individuals.