We’ll admit that underbites in dogs are kind of adorable. We can’t help but smile when we lift a boxer’s lips and see those lower teeth protruding out. But the truth is that the way a dog’s teeth align (occlusion) is important for their overall oral health.
A dog with an underbite or overbite has a form of malocclusion, which is when the teeth are misaligned. An underbite (mandibular prognathism) occurs when the lower jaw is too long compared to the upper jaw, so the lower teeth protrude in front of the upper teeth. An overbite (mandibular brachygnathism) is the opposite—the upper teeth protrude out further than the lower teeth.
Underbites are considered “normal” in some breeds, like boxers or Boston terriers. For some animals, malocclusion may not cause any issues. For others, underbites and overbites lead to painful injuries. With an underbite, the lower canine teeth can hit the upper incisors or nearby gums, causing damage to the teeth or gums. With an overbite, the lower canines and incisors may dig into the roof of the mouth (hard palate). For any form of misalignment, teeth which should normally rest nicely between each other may strike one another, causing damage to the enamel.
Signs that your puppy’s underbite or overbite could be causing issues for them include:
- Foul odor from the mouth
- Bleeding from the mouth
- Difficulty eating or dropping food
- Visible wounds in mouth
- Failure to lose baby teeth
The treatment for underbites and overbites that are causing problems is usually to remove the teeth that are causing injury. While it won’t fix the underbite or overbite, it will prevent further damage to other teeth, the gums or the hard palate.
If you’re concerned that your pet’s malocclusion is causing difficulty for your young dog, contact your VCA care team for an evaluation.
Learn more about underbites, overbites and other forms of malocclusions in dogs.
