Do your bottom teeth protrude further than your top teeth? (Underbite) Let's talk about this!

Have you ever looked in the mirror and noticed that your lower teeth seem to be protruding more than your upper teeth? Or do you think your child has it? For some people, this is only a slight problem. But for others, it is quite noticeable, sometimes even the lower jaw protrudes forward. This is what we medically call ``Underbite''. Shall we talk about this in more detail today? There is nothing to be afraid of, it is very important to be aware of this.

What exactly is `(Underbite)`?

Simply put, an underbite is a dental condition. This is when the front teeth of your lower jaw protrude further than the front teeth of your upper jaw. Sometimes this can also happen because your lower jaw protrudes further than your upper jaw. Doctors also call this condition a Class III malocclusion. The word "malocclusion" means "the teeth are not positioned properly."

Normally, if our teeth are positioned correctly, the front teeth of the upper jaw should just overlap the front teeth of the lower jaw. This is when the large teeth at the back of the upper and lower jaws, called molars, fit together when we close our mouths.

If you have a slight underbite, you may not notice a big problem. But if it is more severe, meaning the teeth are more misaligned, it can affect your appearance and cause other symptoms.

How common is this ``Underbite`` condition?

Roughly speaking, between 5% and 10% of the world's population has this ``underbite'' condition. That's about 5 to 10 out of every 100 people. This includes those who have a slight underbite and don't need treatment, as well as those who have a slight underbite and need treatment.

What are the symptoms of an ``Underbite''?

As mentioned earlier, a slight underbite may not cause any problems. However, if you have a severe underbite, your lower jaw may protrude significantly. This misalignment of the teeth can cause symptoms such as:

• Do you find it difficult to open or close your mouth completely ?
• Do you experience pain or discomfort while talking or eating?
• Do you often bite your cheeks and lips while eating?
• Some people may experience a little difficulty breathing .
• Do you have jaw pain ?
• Do you have a bad breath? (Doctors also call this ``Halitosis'', which means bad breath .)

What complications can occur if an underbite is left untreated?

If this ``Underbite`` condition is left untreated for a long time, additional problems can arise. Let's see what they are:

• Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders: Imagine, there is a joint that connects our upper and lower jaws, right? It's like a hinge on a door. Problems with that joint and the tissues around it are called TMJ disorders. This can cause headaches, earaches, and facial pain .
• Dental problems: Because the teeth are not positioned properly, gaps and gaps between the teeth develop. Then bacteria can easily hide there and cause infections. This increases the chances of problems like tooth decay, gum disease, and tooth root loss . Also, the way the teeth fit together incorrectly can cause teeth to break and wear down .
• Sleep apnea: This is a serious condition. Sleep apnea is when your breathing temporarily stops during sleep. This causes you to wake up startled. Not getting enough sleep can cause daytime fatigue, drowsiness, and irritability .

Why does this `(Underbite)` occur? What are the causes?

It usually happens when your lower jaw is larger than your upper jaw, or when your upper jaw doesn't grow properly. Sometimes, even if your jaw is the right size, an underbite can also occur due to a misalignment of your teeth.

Whatever the cause, if someone in your family has an underbite, you are more likely to have it too. This means that it often runs in families . In addition, certain things we do as children and certain medical conditions can also contribute to it.

The main reasons can be listed as follows:

• Genetics: The shape of our jaws and the size of our teeth are determined by the genes we inherit from our parents. So, for many people, these dental irregularities are due to genetic inheritance.
• Some habits that are continued during childhood: If certain habits continue to put pressure on the teeth while the teeth are still developing, that is, for several years, ``Underbite`` can occur.
• For example, things like sucking your thumb for a long time, drinking from a bottle continuously, using a pacifier for many years . Imagine, if a child keeps a pacifier in their mouth until they are 3-4 years old, it will push the lower jaw forward.
• Also, things like nail biting and tongue thrusting (the habit of pushing your teeth forward with your tongue while talking, eating, or just sitting) can also have an impact.
• Injury: An underbite can also occur due to a serious injury to the face or jaw. Sometimes, even after surgery, the jawbones may not fit together exactly as they did before.
• Tumors: If a tumor develops in the mouth or jaw, it can also cause the position of the teeth to change, resulting in an underbite.

How does a doctor recognize this?

If you suspect that you or your child has an underbite, the first thing you should do is see a dentist . He or she will examine you. Then,

• Dental X-rays are taken of the teeth and jaws to find out exactly where and how this discrepancy exists.

Depending on the severity of your underbite, you may be referred to a specialist. This may include:

• An orthodontist is a doctor who specializes in straightening teeth and performs treatments such as aligning teeth and placing braces.
• An oral surgeon: If you need things like jaw surgery, you'll be referred to this person.

What is the best age to get an underbite?

This is a very important issue. The best thing is to start treatment for this at a young age, that is, between the ages of 7 and 10. Because at that time, the jawbone is still growing and forming. Therefore, it is easier to use various devices at that time to direct the growth of the jaw in the right direction without doing anything major like surgery.

What are the treatments for an underbite?

Treatment options depend on the severity of the underbite, your age, and several other factors. Typically, children and teens, whose bones are still growing, are treated with gradual bone reshaping. Adults often require surgery.

There are several main treatment methods:

• Braces and Retainers:
• Braces are a system of small brackets and wires that are attached to your teeth. They slowly move your teeth into the correct position. You can have braces on all of your teeth, or just the teeth that are affected by an underbite. Some types of braces are clear, so they are not very noticeable from the outside.
• After your braces are removed, you will need to wear a retainer to keep your teeth in place. This may be worn only at night, or for a short period of time during the day.
• Tooth extraction:
• Sometimes, an underbite can be caused by having too many teeth in the mouth (`crowded teeth`). In such cases, a doctor may decide to remove some teeth. There are times when teeth are removed in this way before `braces` are put in. This will give the other teeth the necessary space to move into the right place.
• Palate expanders and other growth-modifying devices: These are often used in young children whose bones are still developing. These devices may need to be worn for weeks, or even months, to correct an underbite.
• ``Palate expanders`` are devices that strengthen the child's upper palate. They are used to gradually widen the upper jaw and make it fit the lower jaw.
• A chin cap is a headgear that is worn on the head and has a strap that fits over the chin. It is used to control the baby's lower jaw from protruding forward.
• A device called a ``Reverse pull headgear'' is attached to the child's upper jaw and gently pulled forward. This stimulates the growth of the upper jaw.
• Surgery:
• Reconstructive surgery is most often performed on adults, as their jawbones have already grown. This surgery may be performed if other less invasive options have failed and the underbite is severe.

What is the recovery outlook for people with ``underbite''?

In fact, the prognosis for recovery is excellent . If you have a slight underbite, you may not even notice it and may not need treatment. Although severe, it is usually a treatable condition. Especially if treated early, surgery is often not needed.

Does `(Underbite)` get worse as you get older?

Yes, it can. Especially if an underbite is left untreated in childhood and left until adulthood. Then the jawbone hardens, growth stops, and the underbite can become more obvious, and possibly even worse.

What happens if I don't fix my `(Underbite)`?

Depending on the severity of your underbite, this misalignment can cause unpleasant symptoms such as jaw pain, difficulty eating, and difficulty speaking . It can also increase the risk of developing dental problems and conditions such as TMJ disorders . Depending on the severity of your underbite, some people may feel self-conscious about their appearance.

So, if you have an underbite, ask your dentist if it needs treatment.

Can an underbite be prevented?

Unfortunately, we cannot prevent an underbite from developing because of genetics . However, parents and caregivers can help reduce some of the habits that can contribute to an underbite in a child's early years. Doing so can help reduce the risk of developing an underbite.

Here are some prevention strategies:

• When your baby is about a year old, start gradually weaning him off bottle feeding .
• Take your child to the dentist before their first birthday (as soon as they turn one) .
• If your child is still sucking their thumb after 3 years of age, try to stop it .
• Also, stop using pacifiers after 3 years .

How do I (or my child) take care of my teeth with an ``Underbite''?

Good oral hygiene is important for everyone, but it's even more important for someone with an underbite. Because teeth are not aligned properly, there can be areas that are easily missed when brushing. Bacteria can easily hide in those areas and cause problems.

To reduce the risk of infection, do these things:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day. Make sure to thoroughly clean all areas where bacteria can hide (between your teeth, along the gum line).
• Floss between your teeth every day.
• See the dentist every 6 months.

Also, if you grind your teeth at night (bruxism), ask your dentist or orthodontist if you should wear a mouth guard (night guard) to prevent damage to your teeth.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

If you have an underbite, it's a good idea to ask your doctor questions like these:

• Do I really need treatment for my underbite?
• What symptoms should I be especially aware of?
• What treatment options do I have? What are the pros and cons of each?
• How long does the treatment take approximately?
• How can I maintain good dental and oral health with an underbite?

What is the difference between `(Underbite)` and `(Overbite)`?

Simply put, an underbite is the opposite of an overbite. An overbite is when the front teeth on your upper jaw protrude further than the front teeth on your lower jaw . The causes of both conditions are very similar, but an overbite is more common than an underbite.

Regular dental checkups are important for your oral health. This includes the way your teeth are positioned. Improperly positioned teeth increase your risk of infection and painful conditions like TMJ disorders. If you are an adult and have an underbite, ask your dentist about treatment. If you are a parent, take your child to the dentist within their first year of life and don't skip regular checkups. Identifying and correcting these misalignments at an early age can go a long way in preventing your child from suffering from the symptoms of an underbite in the future.

The most important things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so let's summarize some of the most important things you need to remember from what we've talked about:

• An underbite is when the front teeth of the lower jaw protrude further than the front teeth of the upper jaw.
• This can cause problems such as difficulty eating and speaking, pain, tooth decay, and TMJ problems.
• It is best to start treatment at a young age (between 7-10 years old) . Then the jawbone is growing, making it easier to fix.
• There are a number of treatment options, including braces, various devices, and possibly surgery.
• If you have an underbite, it is very important to take extra care of your oral hygiene.
• Don't worry , this is a condition that can often be successfully treated. If you think you or your child has this problem, the best thing to do is to see a dentist as soon as possible for advice.

I hope you find this information useful!

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