---
title: "What Is Underbite? Dental Glossary | Town Center Dental"
description: "An underbite is when the lower front teeth stick out past the upper front teeth when the mouth is closed."
url: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/underbite
publisher: Town Center Dental
phone: +1-636-273-5866
quote: https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment
---

Conditions

# Underbite

An underbite is when the lower front teeth stick out past the upper front teeth when the mouth is closed.

An underbite occurs when your bottom teeth extend beyond your top front teeth. It is a form of [malocclusion](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/malocclusion).

A more severe underbite can lead to jaw pain and problems such as tooth decay and gum disease.

You can reduce a child's chances of developing an underbite by limiting thumb sucking and pacifier use past age 3, according to Cleveland Clinic. A dentist can check a child's bite as the teeth come in. In adults, treatment depends on how large the difference is between the jaws. See also [overbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/overbite), [crossbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crossbite) and thumb sucking. Our office describes straightening on its [teeth straightening page](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-straightening).

[Town Center Dental can helpTeeth Straightening](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/services/teeth-straightening)

## Related terms

-   [Malocclusion](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/malocclusion)
-   [Overbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/overbite)
-   [Crossbite](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/crossbite)
-   [Thumb sucking](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/thumb-sucking)
-   [Pacifier habit](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/glossary/pacifier-habit)

## Sources

1.  [Cleveland Clinic: Underbite: Symptoms & Causes](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24985-underbite)
2.  [Cleveland Clinic: Underbite: Symptoms & Causes](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24985-underbite)

## Ready when you are

[Request an appointment](https://towncenterdental.multisites.ai/request-appointment)[Call (636) 273-5866](tel:+1-636-273-5866)