Whether you’re a parent with a child who may need braces or an adult looking for a straighter smile, “How should your teeth line up?” is an important question to ask.
When most people think about the “perfect bite,” they usually think about the aesthetic look of straight teeth.
However, did you know that proper teeth alignment also has other benefits? That’s right, there are many long-term oral health benefits to correct teeth alignment.
So, how are teeth supposed to line up?
In this article, we’re providing professional orthodontic insight into the normal bite position of teeth. We’ll be providing answers to questions, like:
- How are teeth supposed to fit together?
- Are front teeth supposed to touch?
- Should top and bottom teeth touch?
- How should teeth align?
Keep reading to learn about the most common alignment issues and how orthodontic treatment can help fix them.
Why Proper Teeth Alignment Is Important
Orthodontic treatment is an excellent way to straighten teeth, fix alignment issues, and get a perfect smile.
In addition, a perfect bite also has other long-term health benefits. Correct teeth alignment from braces or Invisalign also:
- Allows for clear speech and efficient eating
- Prevents unnecessary muscle/jaw strain
- Makes your teeth easier to clean, preventing tooth decay and gum disease
- Protects your teeth from undue stress that can lead to breaks or cracks
For children, the American Academy of Orthodontists recommends seeing an orthodontist around age 7 or 8. At this age, an orthodontist can tell if early treatment is needed or help you start thinking about what later treatment may look like.
But even if you’re a college student or adult, it’s not too late for ideal teeth bite treatment. There are adult braces and Invisalign options available for anyone between 8 and 88 (or older!).
Ultimately, a normal bite position ensures good long-term oral health and mouth function.
Common Issues to Fix for Correct Teeth Alignment
When it comes to the perfect bite, there are specific issues that an orthodontist may need to treat. Some of the most common alignment problems are:
- Gaps: If teeth aren’t spaced correctly in your mouth, gaps between teeth can arise.
- Rotated teeth: Sometimes, a tooth can twist or turn improperly. This often happens in children when their teeth are erupting (coming in).
- Crooked teeth/overcrowding: When there isn’t enough space for a tooth to erupt or it erupts incorrectly, teeth can become crooked or overcrowded.
- Crossbite: A crossbite occurs when upper teeth fit inside bottom teeth, affecting back or front teeth.
- Deep bite/overbite: A deep bite or overbite is when top teeth cover too much of the bottom teeth vertically.
- Overjet: When top teeth “jet” out over the bottom teeth too much it’s called an overjet.
It’s not uncommon to have one or a few of these issues present simultaneously.
Fortunately, an orthodontist can identify alignment problems, provide expert advice on fixing them, and address them using braces or Invisalign.
Now that you know why proper teeth alignment is essential and some of the major orthodontic issues that hinder correct teeth alignment, let’s dive into “How are teeth supposed to line up?”
How Should Your Teeth Line Up?
At this point, you probably still have questions, like:
- How should teeth align?
- Should top and bottom teeth touch?
- Are front teeth supposed to touch?
These are all great questions, and we’re going to provide you with the answers right now.
Here’s a professional orthodontist’s opinion of what an ideal teeth bite looks like (or what it will look like after orthodontic treatment):
- The points of upper teeth should fit into the grooves of the lower teeth
- There should be somewhere between 20-30% vertical overlap of the teeth
- Teeth should have some horizontal overlap (1-2 mm measured from the front surface of the lower incisor to the front surface of the upper incisor)
- Front teeth may or may not touch in the front, but they should be close
- All of the upper teeth should fit outside of all of the lower teeth (i.e., no crossbites or underbites)
- Back teeth should touch at the same time
If you’re unsure whether your teeth check all these boxes, you can always schedule a free consultation with an orthodontist. They can check out your teeth and let you know what alignment issues you may have.
Where to Get the Perfect Bite in Richmond, VA
Whether you’re a teen or adult, orthodontic treatment is an excellent way to get a straighter smile and set yourself up for good long-term oral health.
Correct teeth alignment can provide benefits, like:
- Preventing unnecessary jaw pain
- Making teeth easier to clean
- Protecting teeth from undue stress and strain
And when it comes to proper teeth alignment, there are many different issues that orthodontists can fix with braces or Invisalign, including (but not limited to):
- Rotated, crooked, or overcrowded teeth
- Small or large gaps in teeth
- Crossbites, overbites, and overjets
If you’re not sure what normal bite position looks like or still have questions, like “How should your teeth line up when your mouth is closed?” reach out to one of the best orthodontists in Richmond, VA.
At Bates Orthodontics, we’re ready to handle any orthodontic need.
Are you a parent of a child who may need early orthodontic treatment? We take a conservative approach to orthodontics, so we’ll only prescribe treatment if it’s absolutely necessary.
Or, maybe you’re a pre-teen or teen with more severe alignment issues? Our orthodontist can use braces, Invisalign, or a combination of both to get you the correct teeth bite.
Perhaps, you’re an adult who thinks that a perfect bite and smile is in the past? With Invisalign or adult braces, you’re never too old for the smile you’ve always wanted!
Schedule your free orthodontic consultation today to get expert advice on what it will take to get a beautiful, straight smile.
