# What's The Deal With Michael Phelps Teeth? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 21, 2008, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846 "2008-08-21T20:26:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/21 "2012-08-01T13:36:34Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > :dubious: I am _not_ surly. The proper response is “Stop calling me surly”. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/22 "2012-08-01T13:52:29Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Just in case it’s not clear, this thread was started during the 2008 Olympics. So what’s wrong with the [new guy’s teeth?](http://img2.timeinc.net/instyle/images/2012/WRN/073012-ryan-lochte-grill-300.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/23 "2012-08-01T14:00:00Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > In my experience - and that’s all it is, _my_ experience - guys who are very tall, and very thin, what you might call “gangly,” I guess, tend to be bigger jerks and have poorer social manners, a more rude and ill-humored attitude, and act like they have a chip on their shoulder, more than people with other body types. This is not true of huge guys that are 6’5 and 300 pounds, like football player types - in my experience it tends to be guys who are very tall, and very skinny. These guys also usually seem to have bigger noses, bigger ears, and bigger teeth. > > I don’t know what it is, but I find that guys who fit this description, for some reason, are often surly and lacking in social skills. You might think I’m surly, but really I’m just shy. If I have a chip on my shoulder it’s because of all the people who made fun of my because I’m tall and thin. There are introverts and extroverts. I can’t change what I am. Are you discriminating against me just because I’m an introvert? ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 2:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/24 "2012-08-01T14:01:14Z")
> [@furryman](#): > > You might think I’m surly, but really I’m just shy. If I have a chip on my shoulder it’s because of all the people who made fun of my because I’m tall and thin. And maybe your big ears. Just sayin’ ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/25 "2012-08-01T14:07:43Z")
> [@Quartz](#): > > Looks like a significant overbite to me. Just like me. Helps him to bite the water. ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/26 "2012-08-01T14:29:15Z")
Well, get used to those teeth- he’s sure to be in a slue of new commercials after the olympics, which is too bad, as he’s one of the least telegenic persons on the planet. ---
**Author:** ![Azeotrope](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/0ea827/32.png) [@Azeotrope](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Azeotrope)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/27 "2012-08-01T14:54:03Z")
> [@DrJames](#): > > The man needs orthodontics to expand his abnormally narrow arch and misaligned teeth. Mind you he gets laid plenty with his teeth as they are. It may between his swim schedule and being pleasured by as many females as he can take, he has not had time to address his dental issues. Perhaps as he ages and he lightens his swim schedule and gets laid less often, he will address his dental deficiencies. Looks like someone googled “michael phelps dental laid.” Rule 34 in action, folks :eek: or maybe 😃 is more appropriate. ---
**Author:** ![Atomic\_Mama](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b5ac83/32.png) [@Atomic\_Mama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atomic_Mama)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/28 "2012-08-01T15:02:02Z")
> [@KRSOradio](#): > > I was looking at photos of him and they seem to be OK, at least from a utility standpoint but something about it doesn’t look right > > If you look at this pic > > [Phelps Smile](http://tinyurl.com/phelpsteeth) > > It seems like his smile is too big for his mouth > > Is it just one of those things or is there an actual condition here? My evil stepmother (no lie) made the offhand commenst that he must have been too friendly with his cousins … i.e., what’s the matter with his parents … ehhh. I found her remarks uncalled for, and in bad taste, unlike the OP’s inquiry. ---
**Author:** ![Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kolak_of_twilo/32/73_2.png) [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kolak_of_Twilo)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/29 "2012-08-01T15:36:25Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Just in case it’s not clear, this thread was started during the 2008 Olympics. So, if I understand you correctly, those are the type of teeth most suitable for eating brains? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/30 "2012-08-01T20:29:31Z")
> [@Argent\_Towers](#): > > In my experience - and that’s all it is, _my_ experience - guys who are very tall, and very thin, what you might call “gangly,” I guess, tend to be bigger jerks and have poorer social manners, a more rude and ill-humored attitude, and act like they have a chip on their shoulder, more than people with other body types. This is not true of huge guys that are 6’5 and 300 pounds, like football player types - in my experience it tends to be guys who are very tall, and very skinny. These guys also usually seem to have bigger noses, bigger ears, and bigger teeth. > > I don’t know what it is, but I find that guys who fit this description, for some reason, are often surly and lacking in social skills. You obviously never met my partner: 6’10", thin, and the nicest guy on the planet . . . though he may not be nice to _ **you** _. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2012, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/31 "2012-08-01T20:59:00Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > You obviously never met my partner: 6’10", thin, and the nicest guy on the planet . . . though he may not be nice to _ **you** _. While **Argent Towers** did say that, he said it 4 years ago and the last time he logged in here was 5 months ago. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/32 "2012-08-02T01:02:39Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > While **Argent Towers** did say that, he said it 4 years ago and the last time he logged in here was 5 months ago. Well no shit…I could have sworn I’ve seen **Agent Foxtrot** around more recently than that. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/33 "2012-08-02T02:02:24Z")
> [@Colophon](#): > > So what’s wrong with the [new guy’s teeth?](http://img2.timeinc.net/instyle/images/2012/WRN/073012-ryan-lochte-grill-300.jpg) That, my dear **Colophon** , is called a grill: [http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/fashion/ryan-lochtes-grill-gets-a-mixed-response.html](http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/fashion/ryan-lochtes-grill-gets-a-mixed-response.html) ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/34 "2012-08-02T03:50:36Z")
> [@JillGat](#): > > You kinda wonder about Marfan Syndrome, though I think that usually causes longer legs instead of such a long torso. I think he might be part dolphin. He’s always looked like a Marfan’s person to me. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 10:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/35 "2012-08-02T10:21:38Z")
> [@TreacherousCretin](#): > > He’s always looked like a Marfan’s person to me. He’s My Favorite Marfan ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Cloud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/bcef8e/32.png) [@Little\_Cloud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Cloud)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/36 "2012-08-02T16:09:59Z")
2 of my sons had similarly narrow palates. It was fixed by installing palate expanders ( expensive and uncomfortable) for several months to 2 years followed by braces. This looks like that problem. It is mostly a cosmetic problem and not (or poorly) covered by insurance. Many people choose not to correct it. ---
**Author:** ![toofies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e5b9ba/32.png) [@toofies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofies)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/37 "2012-08-02T20:45:12Z")
I am 99% sure that Michael Phelps has a severe anterior open bite (5+ mm). This means that his front top teeth can’t meet his front bottom teeth (this is extremely obvious in interviews, especially when he makes the “s” sound; naturally the teeth should close for this but his do not, creating a slight lisp). Basically when he bites together the only teeth that meet are the back molars, I suspect. The reason I’m so sure is because I have the exact same condition myself with (fortunately) a slightly lesser severity :o Anyway, it’s an odd case because an open bite is commonly caused by “tongue thrusting”, where you don’t swallow properly from childhood - the tongue pushes on the back of the teeth instead of the roof of the mouth when swallowing, pushing out the front teeth to create a bucktoothed appearance and a gap at the front. But Phelps is not bucktoothed so I doubt this is the cause in his case. The other possible cause of an open bite (AFAIK) is problems with the jaw itself, e.g., in my case a part of my joint is effectively dissolving itself (called condylar resorption). That can happen due to trauma but sometimes there’s no known cause (like in my case! :smack:). This is far more common (9x) in young women than men, though, so if he has this he’s very unlucky. Anyway, that’s my 2 cents. Pretty sure it’s a severe open bite (as well as a narrow palate as others have mentioned). ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/38 "2012-08-03T02:38:25Z")
> [@fumster](#): > > He’s My Favorite Marfan A close friend of mine (with Marfan’s) told me that they sometimes refer to themselves as “marfs.” ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/39 "2012-08-03T02:59:05Z")
Another odd thing about Phelps’ body is the length and shape of his torso. Whenever I see certain shots of him shirtless, it looks like he has purposely pulled his swimming shorts down significantly past his where they would rest naturally; yet for him that’s where “naturally” is. I’m not sure I’m doing a very good job describing the visual image of what I’m referring to but I always get this same impression whenever I see him. ---
**Author:** ![picunurse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@picunurse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/picunurse)\ **Post date:** [August 3, 2012, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846/40 "2012-08-03T03:12:37Z")
He appears to have a [high arched palate](http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/sym/high_arched_palate.htm), and an especially long torso. I haven’t seen his hands but he may have [Marfan’s](http://www.medicinenet.com/marfan_syndrome/article.htm) syndrome. [I’m not the only one who thinks so.](http://www.clevelandleader.com/node/6446) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-the-deal-with-michael-phelps-teeth/460846.md?page=3)