Why Your Front Teeth Stick Out
Most people are not born with perfectly straight teeth and for some, their front teeth stick out. Misaligned teeth are harder to clean and can increase the risk of poor oral health.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the common reasons why some people’s front teeth stick out and discuss some of the potential treatments that can help to correct this problem.
Table of Contents
Why the Front Teeth are Important
The front teeth, or the anterior teeth, are made up of 12 teeth that show when you smile. The front teeth are made up of the canines, lateral incisors, and central incisors. If your front teeth stick out, it involves at least one of these 12 teeth.
The front teeth are important for eating and speaking as well as influencing facial development. If your front teeth stick out, then they are at an increased risk of fracturing and other traumas. When a front tooth sticks out, it makes it harder to clean and can increase your cavity risk.
6 Reasons Why Your Front Tooth Sticks Out
There are many factors that can contribute to the development of your smile. These factors can be a reason why your front teeth stick out. With some people, crooked and crowded teeth can be prevented while others cannot avoid it.
1. Genetics
Genetics can play a role if your front teeth stick out. There are certain genetic factors that contribute to how your smile looks and the way your teeth are aligned. When your front tooth sticks out, it could be from:
- Overbite: An overbite causes your front teeth to stick out by the position of the upper front teeth over the lower front teeth.
- Overjet: An overjet is when the front teeth are angled outward causing the front teeth to stick out.
2. Thumb-Sucking
Thumb sucking is a common reason why your front teeth are crooked and flare out. The pressure caused by a thumb-sucking habit can influence the teeth alignment and bone structure of the mouth.
Thumb-sucking should stop around age 2. This will prevent any influence on the bone development that makes up the palate and teeth alignment.
3. Tongue Thrusting
Your tongue can be the reason why your front teeth stick out. Tongue thrusting is when the tongue moves and puts pressure forward when swallowing or talking. This continual pressure can cause the teeth to flare out. Over time, the teeth will become misaligned causing an overbite and/or overjet.
A tongue-thrusting habit can be corrected with the help of dental and medical professionals. There are appliances your dentist can place to interfere with tongue placement. Speech therapy is also common among children to help retrain the tongue.
4. Trauma
Trauma to the mouth can occur during car accidents, sports-related injuries, or even a simple fall. When the face or mouth is impacted by a force, the teeth can be affected. The force can push the teeth out of alignment, pushing them inward or outward.
If this occurs, call your dentist right away. There is a risk of damaging the nerves of the teeth which can cause an infection. When the nerve of a tooth is harmed, a root canal or an extraction may be needed.
For more information on root canals, check out our articles Root Canal Infections and Root Canal Costs.
5. Pacifier Use
The continual use of a pacifier over time can cause the front teeth to stick out. The pressure can cause the top front teeth to flare out and the bottom front teeth to be pushed in. Prolonged use of a pacifier can cause an overbite, an overjet, and an open bite.
Start transitioning away from pacifier use around age 2. A pacifier is similar to thumb sucking and can negatively influence the bone structure and the look of your smile.
6. Mouth Breathing
When a child is developing, mouth breathing can affect the growth of their face and mouth. During development, mouth breathing can lead to facial structures forming a narrow face, crooked nose, droopier eyes, and a smaller airway. All these can increase the chances of future respiratory problems.
Through mouth breathing, the teeth can develop into a misaligned position. An overbite, overjet, or an open bite can develop and compromise the health of the teeth. To learn more about mouth breathing, check out our Mouth Breather vs Nose Breather article.
Front Teeth Stick Out - How To Help
There are several ways you can work with your dental team to help fix your front tooth sticking out. Misaligned teeth can be corrected through several dental treatments over time. The position of the teeth can be corrected through braces and other orthodontic treatments.
For more information on braces, check out our articles below.
- Our Getting Braces Guide
- Braces vs Invisalign
- How Much Do Braces Cost?
- 5 Reasons To Get Braces With Missing Teeth
If the front teeth stick out, it’s important to target the reason why while straightening. Your dentist may recommend a dental appliance to stop certain habits like tongue thrusting or thumb-sucking. Mouth tape can be used to promote nose breathing as well as certain surgical procedures.
Your dental team can work with you to improve your oral health and help if your front tooth sticks out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you fix front teeth that stick out?
Orthodontic treatments such as braces can be used to permanently straighten the teeth. This will position the teeth in a straight alignment, fixing a front tooth sticking out. This usually occurs over a 1-2 year treatment and is maintained with a retainer.
How can I fix my protruding teeth without braces?
In certain cases, a front tooth sticking out can be fixed through a retainer. This may take time over a course of a year and multiple visits to adjust and tighten the retainer. This type of treatment only targets minor adjustments compared to a full course of braces.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
