The way your upper and lower teeth meet plays a significant role in your overall oral health and comfort. This alignment, known as occlusion, affects everything from chewing and speaking to the well-being of your jaw joints. It is a common misconception that teeth should always be touching, but in reality, there are specific times when they should and should not make contact. Understanding the proper relationship between your teeth can help prevent various dental problems and contribute to a healthier mouth.
The Ideal Bite
The ideal bite, formally known as centric occlusion or maximum intercuspation, describes the position where your upper and lower teeth achieve their broadest contact. This is the natural bite position you use for functions like chewing and swallowing. In a balanced bite, the cusps, or pointed surfaces, of your upper teeth fit precisely into the grooves and marginal ridges of your lower teeth, and vice versa. This alignment ensures that biting forces are distributed evenly across all teeth, minimizing stress and wear.
For your front teeth, an ideal relationship involves the upper front teeth slightly overlapping the lower front teeth, both horizontally and vertically. This overlap, known as overjet and overbite respectively, guides the jaw during movement and protects the posterior teeth during chewing motions. Molars, located at the back, are designed for grinding and crushing food, with their broad surfaces maximizing contact. Incisors, the front teeth, are for biting and cutting, while canines, the pointed teeth, help tear food, each contributing to the efficiency of the chewing process.
Resting Position of the Jaw
For the majority of the day, your teeth should not be in contact. When your jaw is relaxed and your lips are gently closed, there should be a slight gap between your upper and lower teeth. This space is commonly referred to as the “freeway space” or interocclusal rest space. This resting position allows the muscles of your jaw to remain relaxed and prevents unnecessary strain on your temporomandibular joints (TMJ).
Maintaining this gap is important for preventing excessive wear on tooth surfaces and reducing muscle fatigue. If your teeth are constantly touching, it can lead to chronic muscle tension and discomfort. This relaxed state is distinct from the functional contact that occurs during eating or speaking.
Issues from Improper Contact
When teeth do not meet correctly, or when they touch excessively, a range of problems can arise, collectively known as malocclusion. This misalignment can manifest in various ways, such as an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite.
These improper contacts can lead to uneven tooth wear, chipped teeth, and increased risk of cavities due to difficulty in maintaining oral hygiene. Such imbalances can also strain the jaw joints, potentially causing temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders, which may involve jaw pain, clicking sounds, and headaches. Furthermore, malocclusion can affect chewing efficiency, leading to digestive issues, and may even contribute to speech difficulties. Bruxism, the involuntary clenching or grinding of teeth, is another common issue often associated with improper or excessive contact, leading to further tooth damage and jaw discomfort.
Seeking Professional Evaluation
If you suspect you have concerns about your bite or jaw alignment, consulting a dental professional is a prudent step. A general dentist can perform an initial assessment, including a visual examination and review of your dental history.
Depending on the nature and severity of the bite issue, you may be referred to an orthodontist, a specialist in tooth and jaw alignment. Common approaches to correct bite problems include orthodontics, such as braces or clear aligners, which gradually shift teeth into proper position over time. Restorative dentistry, involving crowns or fillings, can also reshape tooth surfaces to improve contact. For issues like bruxism, a custom-fitted bite guard can protect teeth from grinding forces.