How does underbite lead to tooth decay? our son has a mild underbite that i wasn't worried about, until i read that it can lead to greater tooth decay. how does that happen?

I'm : I'm curious where you read this information. Underbite (the bottom teeth projecting out farther than the upper teeth) does not directly impact risk for tooth decay - unless the position of his teeth compromises his ability to clean his teeth. There are many other oral health reasons for your son to address his underbite issue. I would recommend that you have him evaluated by an orthodontist to see if his particular underbite is one that will need correction. Often sooner is better with orthodontics.

Not necessarily: Underbite itself is not a direct cause of tooth decay. However, an underbite may also be associated with crowding of the teeth. When there is crowding, it may be more difficult to thoroughly brush and floss. Obtain an orthodontic consult to address the underbite. Also increase your hygiene efforts, especially in crowded areas, to decrease the decay risk.

Inability to brush: The underbite itself does not lead to tooth decay, as decay is a function of whether the teeth are properly cleaned. You may have heard that the misalignment of the teeth can cause decay, and this is true. Teeth that are very crowded are harder to keep clean, and harder to pass floss between.

Not really: An underbite is something that should be addressed as early as possible. This because it is a growth issue. Tooth decay (cavities) are not a primary concern, but it is more the wearing away of the front teeth (grinding of front teeth). This causes the teeth to be shorter and more sensitive. Your son should see an orthodontist to determine the correct plan so that his teeth can be protected.

New one on me: As an orthodontist i've been treating patients with underbites for over 40 years. Any malocclusion (including underbite) can make it harder to brush & floss. Additionally, when teeth malpositioned food does not pass over them normally when eating. Malocclusion makes oral hygiene more difficult, and therefore higher cavity risk. But underbite itself no worst than other malocclusions as to decay.

It doesn't: The evidence based literature does not find a correlation between underbite and decay.

Unrelated: Nothing in the literature nor my 30 years of practice leads me to believe these are in any way connected.

No connection: An underbite refers to a malposition of jaws and/ or anterior tooth positions. Although severe tooth crowding can lead to decay when these teeth are not properly cleaned on a routine basis, there is no relationship between underbite of any kind and tooth decay.