Overbite and Underbite: What You Need to Know

Posted on May 3, 2024

Many parents take their children to a kids orthodontist to get braces. They do this for a number of reasons, but the second most common one, besides wanting their child to have straight teeth, is an overbite, according to Verywell Health. But that leads to the question — what is an overbite? How does it differ from an underbite? Read on to learn more.

What Is an Overbite?

Normally, when you bite down, your teeth are pretty close to being level. An overbite is when your upper teeth extend beyond your lower teeth. As a result, this can create issues with talking and chewing. Braces can pull your child’s teeth into the position that they should be. Invisalign is another option, though that is a better option for mild to moderate overbites.

What Is an Underbite?

An underbite is the opposite. It’s when someone’s lower jaw comes out more than their upper jaw. It makes it look like their jaw is always jutting out. This can cause pain, and it can make someone look older than they really are. Just like an overbite, regular visits to a kids orthodontist for braces or Invisalign can correct an underbite.

What to Do About Them

You want to have your child’s overbite or underbite corrected as soon as possible. Doing this can help them in many ways and can even improve their ability to talk clearly and pronounce words correctly since an overbite can make that hard. That can also hurt their self-esteem since kids, unfortunately, can be quite cruel at times and make fun of the way that someone says some words.

Your child might not like the idea of wearing braces or Invisalign. You can explain to them that this will help their teeth for the rest of their lives. Straight teeth will give them confidence in everything from school to their jobs to their social life. It’s an investment that will pay off for many more years. They just have to deal with some discomfort that will be over in a relatively short time.

Are you looking for a kids orthodontist in your area? We can help your child get their best smile with braces, Invisalign, or a retainer. Contact us at Jacaranda Smiles today to make your first appointment.