What Does an Ideal Bite Look Like?

McClellan Orthodontics

Human teeth are designed to fit together in a specific pattern. Your bite is the way your upper and lower teeth fit together. If your upper teeth fit slightly over your lower teeth and the points of your molars fit the grooves of the opposite molars, then you most likely have an ideal bite.

If you are like most people, you probably weren’t born with an ideal bite, and this may not be a huge issue. However, for many people having a bite that is less than ideal can lead to excessive and uneven tooth wear, jaw joint pain, muscle problems, and headaches.

Although it can be difficult to identify exactly what an ideal bite should look like, there are some general rules that you can use to look at your teeth that will help you decide whether you should book an appointment with Dr. McClellan.

To fully understand what an ideal bite should look like, you will need to look at your teeth from three different views.

1. From the Front 

When you look in the mirror the edges of your top teeth should follow the curve of your bottom lip. When your teeth are clenched together, about 90% of your bottom teeth should be visible. In an ideal bite, the upper arch is slightly wider than the lower. The upper midline should line up with the middle of the upper lip and the lower midline should line up with the top one.

When your teeth are closed, looking at the front view can also help you identify the presence of certain orthodontic problems. For example, if your upper row of teeth doesn’t cover your lower teeth, it’s possible that you may have an open bite.

2. From the Side 

When looking at the side view of your teeth, when your bite is closed, the pointed ends of your top teeth should rest nicely within the gap between two of your lower teeth and the edges of your upper teeth should not bite directly on the edges of your lower teeth. In general, your bite should close without experiencing any obstacles or issues that leave your bite slightly open.

Examining your bite from the right or left side may be difficult to do, but just know that your teeth should meet like cogs in a wheel. If your upper teeth are draped over the bottom ones, it’s likely that you are suffering from an overbite. When the bottom teeth are positioned over your top teeth, this is referred to as an underbite.

3. From the Bottom 

To examine your upper and lower rows of teeth, look in the mirror with your mouth opened wide. Both your upper and lower rows of teeth should follow a standard curve. They should all be touching each other with no overlapping or spacing between them. If you notice any overlapping or spacing, it’s likely that you are suffering from crooked or widely spaced teeth.

Taking a good look at your teeth from these three different views is an effective way to determine whether or not you have an ideal bite. However, to be confident about your bite, consider scheduling an appointment with Dr. McClellan. A short complimentary consultation will allow you to identify your next course of action.

Having properly aligned teeth isn’t just about enhancing your smile, it’s also about improving your oral health, and reducing your risk of common dental problems such as tooth wear, tooth decay and gum disease. If you find that your bite isn’t as good as you would like it to be, contact McClellan Orthodontics today so that we can schedule your initial orthodontic consultation and help you determine which treatment is right for your needs.