What Does a Misaligned Jaw Look Like? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore
Understanding What Jaw Misalignment Actually Means
A misaligned jaw — also called malocclusion or jaw deviation — happens when your upper and lower jaws don’t line up the way they should.
Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s... very not subtle.
It can affect your appearance, your bite, your speech, even your breathing. But what does it look like in real life? And how do you know if it’s just a quirk or something that needs fixing?
Let’s break it down.
Visible Signs of a Misaligned Jaw
Facial asymmetry
One of the most noticeable things is facial imbalance. Basically, one side of your face might look fuller or more “off” than the other. This could show up as:
The chin pointing slightly to one side
One side of the jaw appearing longer or more pronounced
Uneven cheekbone structure (yeah, it can throw that off too)
I once met someone who always tilted their head in photos — turns out, it wasn’t a pose thing. Their jaw naturally shifted right when relaxed.
Uneven bite or smile
If you smile and your teeth don’t line up, that’s a clue. Maybe your midlines are off (the line between your two front teeth doesn’t match top and bottom). Or your molars don’t meet properly when you close your mouth.
It might look like:
A crooked smile
One corner of the mouth sitting higher than the other
Gaps or crowding in unusual spots, even with straight teeth
In some cases, people develop a habit of chewing more on one side — just because it “feels better” that way. That’s your jaw trying to cope.
Protruding or recessed jaw
Sometimes the misalignment is vertical:
If the lower jaw juts out, it’s called an underbite (think: bulldog look)
If the lower jaw sits too far back, it’s an overbite or retrognathia — the chin looks “pulled in”
Both types can seriously change your profile view. And honestly, sometimes people think it’s just their chin shape, when really it’s a jaw issue underneath.
Other Clues That Aren’t Just Visual
Clicking, popping, or locking
Ever feel a click in your jaw when you yawn or chew? Hear a pop? Or worse, it gets stuck for a second?
Yeah… that’s often tied to TMJ issues (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), which can be connected to jaw misalignment.
It may not be visible, but it’s super real.
Speech and breathing changes
People with severe jaw misalignment sometimes have:
A lisp or slurred speech, especially with “s” or “sh” sounds
Mouth breathing, especially while sleeping
Snoring or even sleep apnea in some cases
Not exactly something you notice in the mirror — but people around you might pick up on it first.
Causes of Jaw Misalignment
Genetics and development
Some people are just born with it. If one jaw grows faster than the other during adolescence, boom — misalignment.
Also, habits during childhood (like thumb sucking or extended pacifier use) can affect how the jaw forms.
Trauma or injury
A punch, a car accident, or even something as random as falling off a bike can knock your jaw out of its natural position — permanently, if it’s not treated.
Bad bite from dental issues
Sometimes, it’s not the jaw itself but the teeth arrangement that’s off. Braces that weren’t finished, wisdom teeth crowding, or missing molars — all that can lead to functional misalignment over time.
Should You Worry? When to See a Specialist
If it’s just a slight asymmetry and you feel zero pain, maybe it’s no big deal.
But if you have any of the following:
Chronic jaw pain or tightness
Headaches or earaches
Trouble chewing evenly
Sleep issues or constant mouth breathing
You hate how your jaw looks in photos and it affects your confidence
...then it’s worth seeing a dentist, orthodontist, or jaw specialist (oral surgeon). They can do imaging and check your alignment properly.
Final Thoughts: Misaligned Jaws Aren’t Rare — But They Deserve Attention
A misaligned jaw might look like a crooked smile, uneven face shape, or a chin that doesn’t quite sit where it “should.” But what matters more than looks is how it affects your function, comfort, and self-esteem.
Sometimes it’s subtle. Sometimes it’s shouting for help.
And the good news? With today’s dental tech, a lot can be done — from orthodontics to jaw surgery (if needed). So don’t just shrug it off. If something feels off, it probably is.
How much height should a boy have to look attractive?
Well, fellas, worry no more, because a new study has revealed 5ft 8in is the ideal height for a man. Dating app Badoo has revealed the most right-swiped heights based on their users aged 18 to 30.
Is 172 cm good for a man?
Yes it is. Average height of male in India is 166.3 cm (i.e. 5 ft 5.5 inches) while for female it is 152.6 cm (i.e. 5 ft) approximately. So, as far as your question is concerned, aforesaid height is above average in both cases.
Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?
The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.
Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?
How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).
How tall is a average 15 year old?
Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years
| Male Teens: 13 - 20 Years) | ||
|---|---|---|
| 14 Years | 112.0 lb. (50.8 kg) | 64.5" (163.8 cm) |
| 15 Years | 123.5 lb. (56.02 kg) | 67.0" (170.1 cm) |
| 16 Years | 134.0 lb. (60.78 kg) | 68.3" (173.4 cm) |
| 17 Years | 142.0 lb. (64.41 kg) | 69.0" (175.2 cm) |
How to get taller at 18?
Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.
Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?
Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).
Can you grow between 16 and 18?
Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.
Can you grow 1 cm after 17?
Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.