An underbite in bearded dragons, where the lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw, can be alarming for bearded dragon owners. But underbites are treatable if caught early. Understanding the causes, seeking treatment, and prevention are key to managing underbites in pet bearded dragons.
What is a Bearded Dragon Underbite?
An underbite is when the lower jaw of the bearded dragon protrudes outward, beyond the upper jaw, creating a gap between the jaws. This misalignment of the jaws is known medically as a malocclusion.
With an underbite, a bearded dragon’s lower row of teeth extends past the upper row. This underbite may cause the mouth to remain partially open.
An underbite affects a bearded dragon’s ability to properly close its mouth. It can lead to difficulties with eating, chewing, and swallowing.
What Causes an Underbite in Bearded Dragons?
Underbites in bearded dragons stem from two main causes:
1. Metabolic Bone Disease
The most common cause of underbites in bearded dragons is metabolic bone disease (MBD). MBD arises from an improper diet lacking adequate calcium, vitamin D3, and UVB exposure.
MBD leads to weakened, brittle bones. The softening jaw bones can become misaligned resulting in underbites or other skeletal deformities.
Early signs of MBD are weakness, rubbery legs, and tremors. Without prompt treatment, MBD can be fatal.
2. Genetic Factors
Less often, underbites result from genetic or congenital factors. Certain breeding lines may carry genes predisposing offspring to jaw misalignment.
If an underbite stems from genetics, the prognosis is better. Genetic underbites don’t necessarily worsen over time.
Recognizing Signs of an Underbite
Signs your bearded dragon has an underbite include:
- Lower jaw protruding past the upper jaw
- Mouth remaining partially open
- Difficulty closing mouth completely
- Undershot appearance of lower jaw
- Misaligned bite and teeth
- Chewing difficulties
- Weight loss from inadequate eating
- Rubbery legs or tremors (signs of MBD)
Getting Veterinary Care for Underbites
If you suspect your bearded dragon has an underbite, prompt veterinary care is essential.
Your exotic pet veterinarian will:
- Confirm diagnosis and determine underlying cause
- Take radiographs to evaluate jaw and bone health
- Start treatment for MBD if applicable
- Discuss dietary changes
- Recommend jaw realignment surgery if needed
Early treatment of underbites can prevent worsening over time.
Treating Metabolic Bone Disease
If MBD is the cause, your vet will recommend:
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Calcium injections – Fast-acting, injectable calcium can restore blood calcium levels.
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Calcium glubionate – Calcium glubionate solutions given orally provide readily absorbed calcium.
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Multivitamins – Vitamin D3 and other supplements support bone health.
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UVB lighting – Proper UVB exposure enables vitamin D3 synthesis.
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Diet change – Diets with proper calcium:phosphorus ratios and vitamin D3 prevent MBD.
With prompt, aggressive treatment, bearded dragons can recover from early MBD. But reversing advanced MBD is difficult.
Corrective Jaw Surgery
In severe underbite cases, vets may recommend corrective jaw surgery to realign the bite and improve chewing function.
This complex surgery is performed under anesthesia by specialty veterinary oral surgeons. Pins and wires hold the jaw in proper alignment during healing.
Caring for Bearded Dragons with Underbites
If the underbite cannot be fully corrected, you’ll need to adapt care to accommodate the physical impairment. Ways to support an underbite bearded dragon include:
- Feeding softened, pureed veggies and chopped insects.
- Providing shallow, low-sided bowls for easier eating and drinking.
- Avoiding hard, dense foods like pellets that are difficult to chew.
- Gently opening the mouth during sheds to remove shed skin.
- Keeping hydrated with daily misting and soaks.
- Monitoring weight and ability to feed independently.
- Supplementing with syringe feeds as needed.
While underbites limit normal chewing, bearded dragons can still live full, happy lives with some accommodations.
Preventing Underbites in Bearded Dragons
You can help prevent underbites by:
- Feeding a nutritious staple diet with proper calcium:phosphorus ratios.
- Using calcium + vitamin D3 supplements appropriately.
- Providing UVB exposure for 10-12 hours daily.
- Limiting insects high in phosphorus.
- Choosing healthy breeding stock without genetic jaw defects.
- Avoiding overbreeding of genetic lines.
- Getting regular checkups to monitor jaw alignment as juveniles grow.
Through good nutrition and husbandry, you can help your bearded dragon develop properly aligned, healthy jaws. But if an underbite does occur, seek veterinary treatment right away for the best outcome.
Metabolic Bone Disease In Bearded Dragons
If your bearded dragon has an underbite alongside any of the symptoms of metabolic bone disease, you should immediately contact your vet.
Metabolic bone disease, or MBD, is a fairly common disease caused by a calcium deficiency.
A calcium deficiency could be caused by a lack of calcium in the diet, or otherwise, something else interfering with calcium absorption.
It severely affects bone health in beardies.
The symptoms of MBD include:
- “Rubber jaw”
- Tremor in limbs when attempting to move
- Fractures
- Softening of facial bones
- Weakness and non-brumation lethargy
- Loss of appetite
- Paralysis
- Stunted Growth
Why Does My Bearded Dragon Have An Underbite?
Depending on other health, husbandry, and dietary factors, an underbite in your pet could be no cause for concern or a sign of something severe, which needs medical attention.
Check your beardie’s teeth first.
If you see any foreign object, like substrate, stuck in their teeth and gums, remove it immediately.
Also, check for any signs of rot or an abscess.
Next, make sure you are giving your bearded dragon an appropriate amount of calcium and supplementing with vitamin D3 through UV light.
A 10.0-watt bulb is recommended.
It is vital to check and make sure your UV bulbs have not worn out.
They tend to wear out every six months.
Suppose your bearded dragon is getting an appropriate amount of supplementary nutrients and a calcium-rich diet, and there are no other symptoms of mouth rot or metabolic bone disease (MBD).
In this case, it is most likely the underbite is genetic.
While we do not recommend breeding your bearded dragon if they have an underbite if it is not causing any difficulty in eating or drinking, there should be no need for concern.
If you have any concerns about a genetic underbite, it is never a bad idea to contact your reptile veterinarian for advice.
Metabolic Bone Disease in Bearded Dragons
FAQ
What causes an underbite in bearded dragons?
It is most often seen in juvenile bearded dragons (less than two years old). MBD is generally caused by feeding an improper diet that is high in phosphorus and low in calcium and/or Vitamin D3.
Is MBD curable in bearded dragons?
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MBD is a debilitating disease:Once bone damage occurs due to MBD, it’s irreversible.
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Treatment can halt progression:With prompt veterinary care, diet changes, and environmental adjustments, the disease’s progression can be stopped.
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Bone deformities are permanent:Any bone deformities, such as a slack lower jaw, wonky spine, or incorrect angles in legs, are likely to remain.
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Other symptoms can improve:Symptoms like weakness, twitching, and neurological issues may improve with treatment, especially if caught early.
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Prognosis varies:The prognosis depends on the severity of the MBD and how quickly treatment is sought.
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Prevention is key:Ensuring proper diet, UVB lighting, and adequate basking temperatures is crucial for preventing MBD.
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Seek professional help:If you suspect your bearded dragon has MBD, consult a reptile veterinarian immediately.
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Treatment may involve:Oral calcium supplementation, phosphorus-lowering medication, rehydration with fluids, nutritional support, treatment with injectable vitamin D3, and/or injections of calcitonin
What does a calcium deficiency in a bearded dragon look like?
Caused by low levels of Calcium and Vitamin D3, it’s by far the most common cause of illness in ‘beardies’. Symptoms can be hard to spot, but can include muscle twitching, swollen legs and fragile bones, which can eventually lead to permanent deformities in the limbs, jaw, spine or tail.
What is the most common cause of death in bearded dragons?
Impaction is one of the conditions that frequently causes the death of bearded dragons. In the case of a major impaction, the animal will not be very mobile, and one or both back legs may appear paralyzed. If the impaction is higher in the digestive track, the front legs may also be paralyzed.
How do you treat a bearded dragon bite?
How to go about treating a bearded dragon bite will ultimately come down to whether or not the bite actually broke the skin. If the bite was gentle enough that the skin didn’t break, simply wash your hands with soap and water as you always should after handing your beardie.
Did a bearded dragon bite you?
Often times when I’ve been bitten by a bearded dragon it’s been as a total accident. My beardies weren’t trying to bite me and certainly weren’t feeling aggressive. Instead, they simply mistook my finger for food or just missed the food entirely. And in all instances, I think the bite only drew blood once.
Can a bearded dragon bite you if you’re hungry?
Just as a hungry dog might nip at your hands when offering a treat, bearded dragons too can accidentally bite when hungry. Now, there are truly several reasons why a bearded dragon might bite you…
Do Bearded Dragons hurt?
If you have an adult, it probably will hurt a bit. A bearded dragon has a row of sharp little teeth. Combine that with the stronger bite that comes from a larger adult, and it may break the skin as well. Their teeth are small but sharp! This will draw a little blood and will sting.
Should you buy a bearded dragon?
And we totally understand why. Many times this is the first lizard (or even reptile) that people consider purchasing, and they want to know what they’re getting into. Unlike other pets, bearded dragons are an animal that many people don’t have prior experience with.
Are bearded dragons dangerous?
There are a number of situations that can make bearded dragons feel unsafe or threatened. Maybe you have other pets that are sniffing around their enclosure and making your beardie feel like they’re on the menu.