The Link Between Your Posture And Your Jaw

We live during a time when it is very easy to have poor posture. We have so much working against us. Sitting slouched over working at a computer, constantly looking down at your phone, and endless hours of driving all contribute to problems with posture. Posture is the way you hold your body. Having poor posture can lead to a number of complications with your overall health, such as back pain, joint degeneration, rounded shoulders, a hunched stance, spinal dysfunction, and much more. In fact, poor posture can even affect your teeth and jaw.

Airway Issues and Posture

You may be surprised to learn there are many different ways people sit that can negatively affect their oral health. Certain postures, such as a forward head, can lead to mouth breathing, which simply means that a person breathes through their mouth instead of their nose. Mouth breathing is considered an airway issue. We treat a number of patients who have airway issues due to a narrow palate. If the palate is not fixed with the help of orthodontics, the airway problems can continue, leading to further overall health issues as well as alignment problems in the mouth.

Posture and Resting Jaw

There are many things that can affect the alignment of your jaw. Unfortunately, once your jaw moves out of alignment, it can lead to serious problems and discomfort with orthodontic treatment being one of the only solutions. For example, when you sit and look down at a table or a phone for extended periods of time, it puts a strain on the neck, jaw, and chewing muscles. When you sit this way, your jaw is not in the proper position and can move out of alignment. This can lead to severe issues such as temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMD.

Ways to Fix Bad Posture

Everyone should be mindful of their posture, but it is even more important if you are receiving orthodontic treatment for one of the issues mentioned above. Improving your posture is not a quick fix and will take some time. Remind yourself to fix your posture if you feel yourself slouching. Bring your tablet or cell phone closer to your face if you have a habit of dropping your head. Regularly stretch your shoulders and neck.

If you are concerned that your posture is affecting the alignment of your teeth or you have been recommended to our office to improve your alignment, we are happy to help. Be sure to contact our office located in Southfield, MI to schedule a consultation. Should you require treatment, we are happy to put a plan together.