Cover story · Bite
How your bite fits together matters more than people think.
Your bite is simply how your upper and lower teeth come together. Small differences can feel big.
Read the cover storyContents
Full issue- 01Bite alignment basics: how upper and lower teeth meetBite · 5 min
- 02Night guards explained: soft, hard and custom vs store-boughtGuards · 4 min
- 03Jaw tightness and clenching: daytime habits to noticeJaw · 4 min
- 04Retainers after braces: why teeth like to driftRetainers · 4 min
- 05Chewing and tooth wear: what flattened edges can meanWear · 4 min
By the numbers
- 2minutes, twice a dayThe brushing time dental groups suggest
- 1clean between teeth, dailyFloss, picks or small brushes
- 3–4months per toothbrushOr sooner when the bristles fray
- 0quotes, matches or partnersOcclusivo only informs
Bite and wear glossary
Eight words around occlusion, guards and wear, in plain English.
- Plaque
- A soft, sticky film of bacteria that builds up on teeth every day. Brushing and cleaning between teeth remove it.
- Tartar
- Plaque that has hardened. It cannot be brushed away and is removed by a hygienist during a cleaning.
- Enamel
- The hard outer layer of a tooth. It can be softened by acid but can also take back minerals from saliva and fluoride.
- Dentin
- The layer under enamel. When it is exposed, teeth can feel sensitive to cold, heat or sweets.
- Gingivitis
- Early gum inflammation, often with red, puffy gums that bleed. Usually reversible with good daily cleaning.
- Fluoride
- A mineral that helps strengthen enamel and slow decay. Found in most toothpastes and many community water supplies.
- Sealant
- A thin coating painted on the chewing surfaces of back teeth to help shield grooves from decay.
- Annual maximum
- The most a dental plan will pay toward your care in a year. You pay costs beyond it.
The money page
Protect the bite. Ask clearer questions.
Clenching and wear show up slowly. A few habits and checkup questions keep surprises smaller.
- Keep up with preventionSmall problems are cheaper than big ones.
- Learn your plan’s limitsYearly maximum, deductible, waiting periods.
- Ask for a written, itemized planAnd which items are urgent versus can wait.
- Look beyond the usual officeDental schools and community clinics often charge less.
Back page: Q&A
Is Occlusivo a dentist?
No. Occlusivo is an information website. We do not give dental advice, diagnose problems, quote prices or match you with a dentist.
What does it cost?
Nothing. Reading and subscribing are free. We do not sell plans or services.
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