It may be something that you never thought of or even realized, but teeth are such an important part of our body.
When we’re not using them, they are not in the forefront of our minds, but it is the positioning of the teeth while they are not being used that is imperative to their condition and health.
This is because teeth that don’t rest properly can cause all sorts of problems, including excessive tooth wear and gum problems, to name a few.
In this guide, we’ll be taking you through everything you need to know about whether your teeth are supposed to touch and what you actually need to do.
Do Teeth Have A Natural Resting Position?
The best place to start is by discussing whether natural teeth have a recommended resting position. This allows you to understand how your teeth should rest when your mouth is not in use.
Here are the four primary things you need to look out for when it comes to your teeth’s position:
Lips
The first thing you should look out for is your lip’s positioning. Your lips should be relaxed, meaning that they are touching instead of being forced closed.
If you are forcing yourself to close your lips, this could potentially be a sign of misalignment.
No Discomfort
Following on from the previous point, you should not feel any kind of discomfort, whether this is clenching, effort, or straining.
Teeth
When it comes to your teeth, they should naturally be apart to show that your jaw is completely relaxed. This means that your teeth should not be clenched together or touched.
Tongue
Lastly, your tongue should be touching the roof of your mouth and sitting directly behind your top front teeth.
You may think about this when you are not using your mouth, but this is how the tongue naturally positions itself.
As stated, you may not have even considered how your mouth and teeth position when your mouth is not in use, but the next time you relax, try to note how each of the above components feels and are positioned. This is the best place to start.
This is because teeth that are not positioned properly can cause misalignment, which can result in all sorts of issues over time.
It can also be incredibly painful and uncomfortable to experience, developing into all sorts of serious jaw conditions if it is left untreated. There is also an increased risk of gum disease.
What Does A Perfect Bite Mean?
One way to indicate your mouth’s current health is by checking that you have a perfect bite.
A common occurrence when it comes to bad bites is known as malocclusion, which can lead to all sorts of problems in the future, such as uneven tooth way as well as joint and muscle imbalance.
There are three areas that you need to look out for when it comes to the bite. These are the front, the side, and the arch.
Front
The first thing you need to bear in mind is the front. This is the area that is positioned at the front of your bite. When you bite, your top and bottom front teeth should naturally be overlapped slightly.
Side
The second thing you need to look out for is the side. When you bite, your side teeth should come together automatically, with the top teeth sitting outside the bottom teeth in a way that shows they fit together.
Arch
Lastly, you want to make sure that you keep an eye out on the arch of your bite.
The arch is when you inspect the bottom of the upper teeth and the top of your lower teeth. You should find that the teeth are straight and then touch the ones beside them without any spaces.
Should Your Top Teeth Overlap Your Bottom Teeth?
It may seem odd, but your top teeth should slightly overlap your bottom teeth. This is the sign of a healthy bite.
However, if your top teeth are overlapping your bottom teeth by a considerable amount, this is known as a deep bite and will need to be treated.
If left untreated, this can result in many problems that will be harder to correct in the future.
Should Your Teeth Touch When You Are Asleep?
One important thing to know about is whether your teeth touch when you are asleep.
Research states that when you are sleeping, your teeth should not be touching each other. This is because your mouth should be inactive and relaxed when you are sleeping.
Therefore, if your teeth are touching, then this may be a sign of misalignment or other damage.
Should Your Molars Touch?
Due to the structure of the jaw, with the upper jaw sitting in front of the lower jaw, you should find that your molars come together like cogs in a machine.
When you bite, your molars should come together with no issues. However, if you are having problems with your molars, then it is a sign that you may need to visit your dentist or orthodontist to discuss potential treatments.
Where Should Your Tongue Rest Naturally?
As mentioned above, your tongue should naturally rest against the roof of your mouth when you are not using your mouth.
This helps to keep your mouth and bite healthy whilst also ensuring that there is a reduced risk of biting your tongue unexpectedly.
What Happens If I Am Concerned With My Teeth’s Position?
If you are concerned about your teeth’s position, then you should always consult your dentist or orthodontist, who can assist you with certain treatments, depending on what has happened over time.
Conclusion
In conclusion, making sure that you are mindful of your teeth’s resting position when you are not using them is essential to maintaining your teeth’s health and longevity.
Also, testing out your bite is a good idea as it can indicate how healthy your teeth currently are and how well-aligned they are.
He has combined both of these skills to create his first company, Isopharm Limited, which became one of the top learning platforms within the dental industry.
With over 120,000 active users, he has been able to educate others in order to provide better dental care around the world.
With his expertise and work in the field, Andrew has been able to help many dental care professionals succeed in treating their patients.
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