How to correct protruding mouth
Nov 13, 2024
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Chao
Introduction
In most cases, protruding mouth may be caused by excessive chewing, mouth breathing, malnutrition, facial trauma, periodontal disease, or other factors. Treatment options include orthodontic correction, orthognathic surgery, hyaluronic acid injections, and medication, which should be conducted under a doctor's guidance. In daily life, it is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene, brush teeth regularly, have routine dental cleanings, and avoid bad habits such as mouth breathing and lip biting.
Under normal circumstances, protruding mouth may be caused by excessive chewing, mouth breathing, malnutrition, maxillofacial trauma, periodontal disease, and other factors. Treatments such as dental orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, hyaluronic acid injections, or medication can be used under the guidance of a physician. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Excessive Chewing
Excessive chewing in daily life may lead to overdevelopment of oral muscles and localized muscle stiffness, resulting in asymmetry or protrusion of the mouth. It is recommended to consume easily chewable foods and reduce oral muscle activity appropriately. Dental orthodontic treatment can also be performed under medical guidance—such as wearing braces—to improve occlusion and thereby correct mouth protrusion. The typical reference cost for orthodontic treatment ranges from 7,000 to 20,000 yuan per course. Noticeable improvement usually occurs within 1–2 years, although symptoms such as tooth loosening and pain may occur.
2. Mouth Breathing
Long-term mouth breathing may affect the shape of the upper jawbone, leading to a protruding mouth. It is advisable to promptly correct poor oral habits to prevent adverse effects on the maxilla. Orthognathic surgery may also be performed under a doctor’s guidance, adjusting jaw position surgically to improve occlusion and facial contours, thus optimizing lip appearance. The typical reference cost for orthognathic surgery ranges from 30,000 to 150,000 yuan per procedure. Improvement is generally seen within 4–8 weeks, though complications such as bleeding or nerve damage may occur.
3. Malnutrition
Imbalanced intake of nutrients may lead to facial muscle atrophy and laxity, potentially causing mouth protrusion. Adequate nutritional support should be maintained to keep muscles healthy. Hyaluronic acid injection may also be considered under medical advice—filling the chin or lips with hyaluronic acid to improve facial contours and alleviate mouth protrusion. The typical reference cost for hyaluronic acid injections ranges from 500 to 2,000 yuan per session. Improvement is usually noticeable within 1–2 weeks, though side effects such as redness, swelling, and pain may occur.
4. Maxillofacial Trauma
Injuries to the maxillofacial region due to accidents such as traffic collisions or falls may cause soft tissue damage, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. Patients may experience discomfort including pain, swelling, and bleeding. Under medical guidance, medications such as ibuprofen sustained-release capsules, Sanqi injury medicine tablets, or Yunnan Baiyao capsules may be used for treatment.
5. Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is primarily associated with factors such as plaque accumulation and food impaction. Inflammation of the periodontium may disrupt occlusion, resulting in mouth protrusion. Common symptoms include redness and swelling of the gums, bleeding, and loose teeth. Treatment may include medications prescribed by a doctor, such as minocycline hydrochloride capsules, amoxicillin capsules, or doxycycline hydrochloride tablets.
In daily life, it is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene, brush teeth regularly, undergo professional teeth cleaning, and avoid不良 habits such as mouth breathing and lip biting, all of which help maintain a healthy lip appearance.
