If your front teeth overlap your bottom teeth, you have a bite issue called an overbite. This is one of three common bite issues, alongside an underbite and crossbite. With an overbite, correcting it is often done when you get braces to straighten your teeth, but it is not just a cosmetic issue. There are also some oral health reasons to fix an overbite. Here are some different things to consider when deciding if you should get orthodontic treatment to correct your overbite.

Facial Structure Issues

There are some cosmetic reasons to correct your overbite and not just because of how it looks when you are smiling or talking. With a moderate or severe overbite, also called a deep overbite, your chin gets pushed back because of the bite, making it look smaller. This can take away from your face's natural profile. However, if you get the bite corrected, your chin will be pushed forward in its normal position, making it look bigger and often improving your facial structure.

Higher Risk of Tooth Decay 

An overbite can also cause tooth decay and increase your risk for gum disease. This is because when you have an overbite, it wears away your teeth enamel. You spend a good portion of your day with your mouth and jaw closed, which causes the top row of teeth to rest over the bottom row of teeth. Over time, the rubbing of the teeth together can start causing the enamel to wear away, which is the hard protective coating over your teeth. If this occurs, your teeth are more susceptible to tooth decay, which can then lead to gum disease. Losing your tooth enamel also makes you more sensitive to acidic foods, sensitive to hot and cold beverages, and vulnerable to cracking or breaking. Tooth enamel is gone for good once it wears away, so there is no reversing this. It is best to act now and have your overbite corrected.

Pain in the Teeth and jaw

Unfortunately, having an overbite can also cause a lot of pain and discomfort as the years go by. Since your teeth don't match up like they should, it makes biting and chewing more difficult. Over time, this causes your jaw to become tense and might even lead to jaw diseases and conditions like TMJ. If you often have jaw pain, tooth pain, or headaches, it may very well be due to your overbite.