Protruding Teeth: Why You May Have Them

Written By Jennifer Raskin / Reviewed By Ray Spotts

Often nicknamed “buck teeth,” the problem of protruding teeth is quite common. For most people, it is an issue of aesthetics, though for others it could pose health issues.

Luckily, you can get some help from your dentist to correct this malocclusion and feel more healthy and confident when you smile.

Why Do I Have Protruding Teeth?

Dentists report that protruding teeth problems are most commonly the result of your genes. Your jaw shape is one thing that you can inherit from your ancestors, and that might not always be a good thing.

Children that suck their thumbs or use pacifiers excessively may also wind up with buck teeth. It’s nothing to worry about in younger children that are breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, but children over the age of three should stop sucking on fingers and objects to keep teeth from coming in at an odd angle.

Tongue-thrusting, spacing, or crowding in your mouth can also change the alignment of those front teeth. When you have an overbite, it may simply be something that makes you feel self-conscious about your appearance.

Having an evaluation from your dentist can determine whether your protruding teeth are causing speech impediments, chewing troubles, breathing issues, or damage to your teeth and gums.

Options For Correcting Protruding Teeth

If your dentist deems there are no other side effects to your protruding teeth, you can elect to leave them be. However, if you aren’t happy with the way your smile looks, you can see what options are available to you.

Depending on any other troubles your protruding teeth may be causing, your dentist might recommend one of the following:

Traditional Braces for protruding teeth

One of the most common treatments is wearing braces and retainers to ease protruding teeth back in line.

Invisalign for protruding teeth

If you don’t want the telltale-glint of metal shining from your mouth as in the traditional form of braces, Invisalign is another easy option. It’s more expensive but can also be removed for a couple hours per day to accommodate eating and cleaning.

Many people with protruding teeth choose this option because it’s clear and hard to notice.

Extractions, Expansions Or Surgeries for protruding teeth

Your dentist may extract one or more teeth if you need more room to straighten out your smile. Palate expansions are another option for those with an upper jaw that is too small for adult teeth.

In severe cases, jaw surgery may be required to permanently correct the problem.

There’s no way to fix your protruding teeth at home. The next time you visit the dentist, ask about your treatment options and see if one is right for you.

Looking for a 100% all-natural liquid tooth oil and mouth rinse? Check out OraMD Original Strength and OraMD Extra Strength. Subscribe to our Trusted Health Club newsletter for more information about natural living tips, natural health, oral health and skincare. If you are looking for more health resources make sure to check out the Trusted Health Resources list.

Written By:

Jennifer Raskin is a freelance writer, wife and mom that loves cold weather despite her location in Florida, cooking, reading, watching ‘80s movies, weight-lifting, and wine tasting.

Reviewed By:

Founder Ray Spotts has a passion for all things natural and has made a life study of nature as it relates to health and well-being. Ray became a forerunner bringing products to market that are extraordinarily effective and free from potentially harmful chemicals and additives. For this reason Ray formed Trusted Health Products, a company you can trust for clean, effective, and healthy products. Ray is an organic gardener, likes fishing, hiking, and teaching and mentoring people to start new businesses. You can get his book for free, “How To Succeed In Business Based On God’s Word,” at www.rayspotts.com.

Photo by Kassidy Sherburne on Unsplash