What Your Bite Says About Your Health: A Dentist’s Perspective on Occlusion
When most people think about oral health, they focus on cavities, gum care, or teeth whitening. However, one of the most overlooked aspects of dental health is occlusion—how your upper and lower teeth come together when you bite. From a clinical perspective, occlusion is more than just alignment; it plays a significant role in your overall health, affecting everything from jaw function to posture and even chronic pain. At Lumina Dental Clinic, dentists often emphasize that your bite can reveal underlying issues that go far beyond your mouth. Understanding Occlusion: More Than Just Alignment Occlusion refers to the way your teeth meet when your jaws close. Ideally, your teeth should fit together in a balanced way that distributes pressure evenly across all surfaces. When this balance is disrupted, it can lead to what dentists call malocclusion. Malocclusion can occur due to several reasons, including genetics, missing teeth, habits like teeth grinding, or improper dental work. While...