Is it just me or is Michael Phelps's teeth and gums are not so good looking?

Question

I mean he's hot and everything...but his teeth and gums is just way off.

Answer 1

And look at it this way, billions of children (and hopefully their parents) all around the world are watching him and most likely noticing this too. Think of all the future uncorrected over-bites and “horse jaws” he’s preventing. Parents, doctors, and dentist everywhere will be telling their children, “We have to get that fixed or your mouth will end up like Michael Phelps'. You don’t want that, do you?” Phelps can become the poster-child for the condition if not a spokesperson. :-)

Answer 2

they're doing the national anthem now and you are right his teeth do look weird. but man is he awesome!!!

his sister is cute.

Answer 3

yeah ur right... they're a mess. seriously. Everything else seems to be in working order though LOL.  

Answer 4

I am a Dental Hygienist and cannot help having noticed Micheal's teeth. It appears his upper jaw is constricted (narrow) and smaller in relationship to his lower jaw.  This type of bite is usually corrected by using a palatal expander or retainer in early adolescence before the jaw is done growing.  If not corrected early (and sometimes even in spite of an attempt at early correction) it needs to be corrected surgically.  There was an American Idol with a similar dental problem.....

Answer 5

lol who cares, he's an awesome swimmer.

i'm watching him right now on TV when he just won the gold for 200m  

Answer 6

Just a thought. He is only 23 and he's had other priorities in the last 8 years....3 olympics (2000 in sydney, 2004 in athens and now china)!!! Surgery to correct what some of you consider a problem with his jaw would mean time away from the pool. Maybe he figures there is time for that later after the focus is off of competitive swimming. Who knows. Maybe it just doesn't bother him the way it does some people who watch him on the TV.  

Answer 7

Yeah Youre right.

Hes still awsome.

And here's a pic that I found. I noticed that as soon as I saw it.

http://img.timeinc.net/time/daily/2007/0...

I  totally agree with you!!!

Answer 8

*Note: I'm not trying to add "negativity" here - just state some medical facts and clarity.

It’s a deformity that should have been corrected in childhood.  I think what he has is a prognathic mandible, popularly called a severe “under-bite" and or a class III malocclusion, popularly called a severe “over-bite”.  

The problem may be a mandible (lower jaw) which has grown too large or too far forward. Alternatively, the same problem can be caused by a maxilla (upper jaw) which has failed to develop enough. Depending on the cause, this condition may be corrected by surgery in the lower jaw ("sagittal split" or "intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy") or surgery in the upper jaw ("Le Fort I") or both.

I’ve seen photos of him as a kid with braces on his teeth so I know some orthodontics has been received.  Why this problem wasn’t also addressed and corrected at that time I don’t know.  

I know his mom got divorced when he was very little (2 yrs old?) and had to support him and his sibling(s) on her own.  So money was probably very tight but I would think if you’ve got coverage/insurance (whether private or public) for the braces you’d get this corrected too since it’s actually a deformity and not just a “cosmetic issue” like ears that stick out or a too large nose.   This condition affects your health and only gets worse with time.  

If he isn’t already experiencing it he’s going to develop TMJ and chewing problems (which will lead to poor digestion which intern has its own set of problems) pain and speech problems – even more than what’s already obvious.  So, he should really get it fixed, not for cosmetic reasons as much as for health reasons.  I really don’t understand why he hasn’t.  Financially it shouldn’t be a problem for him – not with all the endorsements he already has and probably will get after the games.  Perhaps he hasn’t wanted surgery and recovery to interfere with his training and competitions?  I don’t know but he should get it fixed.

Answer 9

Without a doubt. Probably ate rocks as a kid. Get to the oral surgeon young man!

Answer 10

I'm look at him right now. They are playing the anthem.. and he is not smiling. I'll edit it when I see them. But it really doesn't matter. He wins all these medals, you should be focusing on his talent not his teeth.

He sure does blink a lot.

Answer 11

He looks weird as h**l in general...great swimmer though!

Answer 12

i dont know

Answer 13

Why ask a question and start a discussion based on negativity? There's a lot to the hype Phelps has around him right now e.g pure talent! and it's sad to just focus on his teeth.

Answer 14

Wow, you are so picky!  

Answer 15

He has won 9 gold medals and you are worried about his teeth?

Answer 16

Looking at him right now. They look pretty normal to me.

Answer 17

Well, if he's winning all these medals for the USA, it doesn't really matter.

But I think he looks fine, normal, very hot!  =]

Answer 18

They're different, but I think it's cute, it's a unique characteristic.

Answer 19

I think it's how his teeth are weirdly shaped to his jaw.

Like I'm watching him now... and his teeth get longer the farther back in his mouth they go.

Ya digg?

But, I know what you mean.

Answer 20

They're a little weird.. he has a very gummy smile. Aww but he's so cute. And AMAZING!! :)

Answer 21

The question isn't whether the man has ability or not, the question is about his teeth and gums.  We know he's a fantastic swimmer.  But I agree, he has really odd looking teeth and gums - and so pronounced.  Not to mention his big ears and dorky look.  Yes, he's a great swimmer with a great bod, but hot he is not.  I can only imagine what people would be saying about a woman with similar looks. It surely wouldn't be anything about her being hot.

Answer 22

Phelps is hot but his teeth are a little off. He has a really strong jaw line too. I also realized that he has huge ears. but anyway he's still hot.

Answer 23

lol he is just an amazing swimmer its CRAZY!! i think i wld be only halfway through a 100m freestyle and he wld be done already aha

lol yes i know what you mean. did you see his moms teeth?theyr JUST LIKE his. its kinda funny but he is still very very hot.

i LOVE him!!!

xoxo