You know how important good oral health is. The healthier your teeth are, the less inclined you are to develop tooth decay, gum disease, cavities, as well as other more serious oral health concerns. However, many people are surprised to learn that there is a connection between oral health and your overall health. The alignment of your bite can have a huge impact on your health. In addition to causing pain, it can lead to irregular wear and tear, speech defects, and your ability to chew. If you are dealing with alignment issues, you may be interested in learning about the benefits of underbite correction.
What is an Underbite?
When your teeth are aligned correctly, your front teeth should sit just in front of or slightly overlap your bottom teeth. When dental alignment is disrupted because of an underbite, your lower jaw protrudes beyond your upper teeth. When you close your mouth, your bottom teeth sit in front of your upper teeth. This is the exact opposite of how your teeth should look when they are properly aligned.
The severity of your underbite can vary from being slight to severe. While up to 70 percent of the population has an overbite, only 5 to 10 percent of the population have an underbite. In many cases, an overbite is not a serious oral health issue. However, an underbite, even a slight one, can create serious health problems.
What Causes an Underbite?
For the majority of people, an underbite is caused by genetics. There are no external forces, such as an accident, that lead most people to have an underbite. Since an underbite is genetic, it is something that cannot be prevented. Genetic factors that lead to this condition include a large lower jaw or teeth that are overcrowded. Underbite correction is designed to help an individual dealing with this condition look and feel much better.
In some rare cases, an underbite may be connected to a childhood condition, including excessive thumb sucking, thrusting the tongue against the teeth, mouth breathing, using a pacifier or a bottle for a number of years, or bad chewing habits. In these cases, the underbite could have been prevented by changing these negative habits.
What Happens When an Underbite is Not Treated?
There are physical, mental, and emotional side effects that come from having an underbite. This is why it is so important to treat this condition quickly. Some of the complications a person may experience include pain, especially connected to TMJ, gum disease, altered face shape, and self-esteem issues.
Having an underbite is frustrating. It can cause physical pain and mental distress. Thankfully, they can be corrected regardless of how old you are or how severe your underbite is. Would you be interested in learning more about the benefits of underbite correction? If so, set up an appointment at Unique Orthodontics sooner rather than later. We have offices located in Fresno, Tulare, Buchanan, Old Town Clovis, and Madera. Contact us today to schedule an orthodontic appointment!
