ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Occlusion (dentistry)

Occlusion is basically how our teeth fit together when we bite down and chew. It's very important that our teeth fit together correctly because if they don't, it can cause problems like tooth wear, jaw pain, and even headaches.

Think of it like two puzzle pieces coming together. If they fit perfectly, everything is good and you can see the whole picture. But if they don't fit well, the lines and colors don't match up and it looks messy.

In dentistry, we look at how your top teeth fit with your bottom teeth, the height of your teeth, and how they come together when you bite down. We want to make sure that your teeth fit together just right so you can chew your food properly and avoid any problems.

Sometimes, we might need to make adjustments to your teeth or give you a device to help improve your occlusion. This could be something like braces or a night guard. But ultimately, it's all about making sure your teeth fit together nicely so you can have a healthy, happy smile!