If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and thought, “My top lip sticks out and it really bothers me,” you’re not alone. Many people notice their upper lip looks more prominent in photos, from the side, or when their face is relaxed. Sometimes “My Top Lip Sticks Out” is mostly about natural lip shape, but it can also be related to your teeth, bite, jaw position, or even breathing habits.
This guide breaks down what might be going on, what you can realistically change, and when it’s worth seeing a professional.
Quick disclaimer: This article is for information only and can’t diagnose you. If you’re worried about your appearance, bite, or breathing, it’s always best to see a dentist, orthodontist, or doctor in person.
What Does It Actually Mean When “My Top Lip Sticks Out”?
When someone says “my top lip sticks out,” they usually mean one (or a mix) of these:
- The upper lip looks fuller or more forward than the lower lip.
- From the side, the upper lip and teeth look “pushed out”.
- It’s hard to close the lips comfortably without effort (this is often called lip incompetence).
A prominent upper lip can be caused by:
- The teeth and bite (like increased overjet, where the top front teeth stick out over the bottom teeth).
- The jaws and facial bones (for example, a more forward upper jaw or a relatively smaller lower jaw).
- The soft tissues (lip thickness, muscle tone, aging changes).
Understanding which of these applies to you is the key to choosing the right fix.
Quick Overview: Common Reasons & Typical Fixes
| Cause / issue | What it looks like | Who helps most |
|---|---|---|
| Protruding upper teeth (increased overjet) | Buck teeth, smile shows a lot of front teeth, top lip pushed forward | Orthodontist (braces, aligners) |
| Smaller / set-back lower jaw | Weak chin, convex profile, lips look more forward | Orthodontist, jaw surgeon (severe cases) |
| Lip incompetence & mouth breathing | Lips don’t meet at rest, strain in chin when closing lips | Dentist, orthodontist, ENT, myofunctional therapist |
| Habit-related (thumb sucking, tongue thrust) | Teeth pushed forward over time, often visible in kids and teens | Pediatric dentist, orthodontist, therapist |
| “Just how my face is” (soft tissue / genetics) | Natural full upper lip, bite fairly normal | Cosmetic provider, or acceptance-focused approach |
| Changes after braces or dental work | Lip looks different post-treatment, sometimes more or less protrusive | Orthodontist or dentist |
Why My Top Lip Sticks Out in the First Place
1. Teeth & Bite Problems: Overjet and Malocclusion
One of the most common reasons people say “my top lip sticks out” is protruding top front teeth.
- Increased overjet (often called “overbite” in casual speech) happens when the upper teeth sit too far in front of the lower teeth horizontally.
- This can be due to:
- Genetics (jaw size/shape)
- Habits like thumb sucking, prolonged pacifier use, or tongue thrusting
- Irregular growth of upper vs. lower jaw
Malocclusion (a “bad bite”) is common and often treated with orthodontics.
When the front teeth are flared or far forward, they physically push the upper lip out, making it look more prominent.
2. Jaw Position and Facial Structure
Sometimes the teeth themselves are okay, but the bones are not perfectly balanced:
- A relatively small or retruded lower jaw can make normal upper teeth and lips look more protrusive.
- A forward upper jaw or bimaxillary protrusion (both upper and lower teeth/jaws more forward) can also make the lips look fuller and “sticking out.”
Research shows that skeletal patterns and incisor position significantly influence lip thickness and projection.
3. Lip Incompetence and Mouth Breathing
If your lips don’t naturally rest together without effort, that’s called lip incompetence.
You might notice:
- You breathe through your mouth a lot.
- Your chin puckers or strains when you force your lips to close.
- Your gums or lots of your front teeth show when you smile.
Lip incompetence can be linked to:
- Facial growth patterns
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids and airway issues
- Allergies or nasal obstruction
- Protruding front teeth or vertical growth of the face
Over time, mouth breathing and poor tongue posture can influence jaw growth and tooth position, potentially making your upper lip look more prominent.
4. Habits: Thumb Sucking, Tongue Thrusting, and More
Childhood habits can push teeth and lips out:
- Thumb or finger sucking
- Prolonged pacifier use
- Tongue thrusting (pushing the tongue against or between the teeth when swallowing)
These can cause protruding upper teeth and affect how the lips meet.
5. Aging and Soft Tissue Changes
As we age, skin elasticity, fat distribution, and muscle tone around the mouth change:
- Some people notice a flatter upper lip
- Others see relative fullness or drooping, which can alter how far the lip appears to stick out
3D imaging studies show that lip shape and position are influenced by both aging and underlying jaw/dental structure.
6. Dental or Orthodontic Work
If you’ve had:
- Braces or aligners
- Tooth extractions
- Veneers or crowns
you may notice your lip looks different. Moving incisors forward or backward changes the way the upper lip drapes over them, sometimes making people feel “My Top Lip Sticks Out more (or less) after braces.”
Is It Normal That My Top Lip Sticks Out?
Some degree of upper lip projection is completely normal and even aesthetically desirable. Not every slightly full or forward upper lip is a “problem.”
However, it might be worth looking deeper if:
- You can’t comfortably close your lips at rest.
- Your front teeth are very far ahead of the lower teeth.
- You’ve been told you have an overbite/overjet, “buck teeth,” Class II malocclusion, or lip incompetence.
- You feel self-conscious to the point it affects your confidence or mental health.
Orthodontic organizations consider protruding teeth and difficulty closing the lips important reasons to seek an orthodontic evaluation.
Simple At-Home Checks Before You Panic
Try these gentle, non-scientific checks:
- Relaxed lip test
- Face a mirror, relax your face, breathe gently through your nose.
- Do your lips meet without effort? Or do you feel them pop open?
- Chin strain test
- Close your lips firmly and look at your chin.
- Do you see dimpling or tense lines forming in the chin area? That can suggest lip strain, often seen in lip incompetence.
- Side-profile photo
- Take a side photo with your face relaxed.
- Does the upper lip stick far in front of the lower lip and chin? Are the upper teeth clearly forward?
These checks don’t replace a professional assessment, but they can help you decide whether to book an appointment or just keep an eye on things.
Fixes for a Top Lip That Sticks Out
The best solution depends on what’s causing the prominence: teeth, jaws, lips, or habits. Often it’s a mix.
1. Lifestyle and Habit Changes
If habits or airway issues contribute, your provider may suggest:
- Breaking thumb/pacifier habits in children
- Tongue-thrust therapy or myofunctional therapy
- Treating allergies, nasal blockage, or enlarged tonsils/adenoids to support nasal breathing
These changes alone won’t usually “pull your lip back,” but they support healthy growth and prevent worsening, especially in kids.
2. Orthodontic Treatment (Braces & Aligners)
If the main issue is protruding teeth or overjet, orthodontics is often the go-to solution:
- Traditional braces (metal or ceramic)
- Clear aligners (e.g., Invisalign-type systems)
- Sometimes extractions (removing certain teeth) to create space and retract the front teeth
- In growing children, functional appliances to guide jaw growth
Studies show that Class II (upper teeth forward) malocclusion is common and can often be treated with growth modification in children, or camouflage (using braces/aligners, sometimes with extractions) in teens and adults.
If your top lip sticks out mainly because the front teeth are too far forward, properly planned orthodontic treatment can bring the teeth back and soften lip protrusion.
3. Orofacial Myofunctional Therapy & Posture Work
When lip incompetence or poor oral posture are big contributors, some people benefit from orofacial myofunctional therapy (OMT):
- Gentle exercises to train nasal breathing, lip seal, and tongue posture
- Strategies to support more balanced muscle function around the mouth
OMT can improve symptoms like mouth breathing and lip strain, and it often works alongside orthodontics or airway treatment.
Important: online “face yoga” or “mewing” content varies in quality. If you’re interested in that route, look for a qualified myofunctional therapist, orthodontist, or speech therapist rather than DIY alone.
4. Cosmetic Options (Fillers, Dental Aesthetics)
If your bite is fairly normal and your concern is mostly soft-tissue aesthetics, a cosmetic provider may suggest:
- Lip fillers or strategically placed fillers in the chin or jawline to rebalance facial proportions
- Veneers or bonding in very specific cases, combined with other care
These approaches are surface-level and won’t fix underlying bite or jaw issues, but they can help in mild or borderline cases. Always choose a qualified, medically trained injector or dentist who understands facial anatomy and occlusion.
5. Orthognathic (Jaw) Surgery for Severe Cases
If your top lip sticks out because of major skeletal differences (e.g., very small lower jaw, strong upper jaw, or full facial protrusion), an orthodontist and oral & maxillofacial surgeon may recommend orthognathic surgery.
This typically involves:
- Braces before and after surgery
- Jaw repositioning to rebalance the facial skeleton
- A combined plan tailored to function and facial aesthetics
Surgery is usually reserved for:
- Severe malocclusion that can’t be corrected with braces alone
- Significant functional problems (chewing, speech, breathing)
- Major aesthetic concerns where nonsurgical approaches would be very limited
When to See a Professional About “My Top Lip Sticks Out”
You don’t have to wait until things feel “really bad.” It’s worth booking an appointment if:
- You can’t close your lips comfortably at rest.
- You or your child have very protruding front teeth or a noticeable overjet.
- You’ve had trauma to front teeth or are at high risk because they stick out.
- You notice speech issues, chewing difficulty, or mouth breathing.
- You’re unhappy with your profile or smile and it’s affecting your self-confidence.
Good starting points:
- Dentist or pediatric dentist – to check teeth, bite, and refer on if needed.
- Orthodontist – for detailed bite, jaw, and facial profile assessment.
- ENT (ear, nose, throat) doctor or airway specialist – if nasal blockage, snoring, or mouth breathing are big concerns.
Professional bodies like the American Association of Orthodontists recommend children get an orthodontic check by about age 7, but adults can benefit from an evaluation at any age.
FAQ: Quick Answers for Search & Featured Snippets
Why does my top lip stick out more than my bottom lip?
Your top lip may stick out more due to protruding front teeth, jaw structure, lip thickness, or mouth-breathing habits. An orthodontist or dentist can examine your bite and profile to see whether the cause is mostly dental, skeletal, or soft tissue.
Can braces fix it if my top lip sticks out?
Often, yes — if the problem is mainly forward front teeth, braces or clear aligners can bring the teeth back and reduce how far the upper lip sticks out. In more severe skeletal cases, braces may need to be combined with jaw surgery.
Will my top lip go back to normal after braces?
It depends on how much your teeth were moved. When protruding incisors are retracted, studies show the lip profile usually follows and becomes less prominent, though the exact change varies by lip thickness and facial structure.
Can exercises or “mewing” fix a top lip that sticks out?
Exercises and posture work (like orofacial myofunctional therapy) can help with lip seal, tongue posture, and mouth breathing, which is great for function and long-term stability. But if your lip sticks out mainly because of jaw or tooth position, you’ll usually need orthodontic or surgical treatment for a big visual change.
Is my top lip sticking out just genetics?
Genetics strongly influence jaw shape, tooth size, and lip fullness, so sometimes “My Top Lip Sticks Out” is simply your natural facial structure. If your bite is healthy and you can close your lips comfortably, it might be more about aesthetic preference than a medical issue.
Conclusion: What to Do If My Top Lip Sticks Out
If you keep thinking, “My Top Lip Sticks Out and I hate how it looks,” remember:
- It might be due to teeth position, jaw structure, habits, or simply your natural lip shape.
- There are options — ranging from habit changes and myofunctional therapy to braces, aligners, cosmetic tweaks, or jaw surgery in more complex cases.
- The most important step is a personalized assessment by a qualified dentist, orthodontist, or surgeon who can tell you what’s really causing the lip prominence and explain realistic, safe options.
You don’t have to figure it all out alone. A professional evaluation can turn “My Top Lip Sticks Out” from a daily worry into a clear plan — whether that means treatment, subtle cosmetic changes, or simply understanding and embracing your natural features.