Your Bite Can Affect Posture, Hip Joints And More!

While the eyes are said to be the “window of the soul,” the mouth is credited for being the “window to the body.” And, rightly so. So much in our overall health originates in the mouth. While speech and the digestion process are commonly known to begin in the mouth, misaligned teeth can be sources of surprising ordeals.

When upper and lower teeth are not in proper position (from crooked teeth, over or under bites, chipped or missing teeth, ill-fitting bridges, etc.) a wide range of health problems can occur. These include insomnia, dizziness, headaches, ear aches, facial and neck pain, jaw clicks, chewing discomfort and lead to problems with posture, joint pain and low back pain.

Simply stated, misaligned teeth will cause your jaw joint to be misaligned. Because the jaw joint is the highest joint in the human skeletal system, bite misalignment creates a domino effect that impacts other joints in the body.

An improperly fitted bite means your teeth do not work harmoniously when chewing. The muscles of the jaw and face and jaw joints have to work harder as they adjust for misaligned teeth. This strain adds stress on the jaw joint, which sets off muscle tension and joint stress throughout the body.

Obvious symptoms of temporomandibular joint syndrome (TMJ) are mild to severe jaw joint pain, jaw clicking and difficulty opening the mouth fully. Worn or chipped teeth and complications with prior dental work like bridges or crowns can be from misaligned teeth.

Insomnia and clenching or grinding teeth during sleep can also be caused from misaligned teeth. Tensing jaw muscles lead to muscle tension throughout the body while sleeping. Ear aches or dizziness can also be the result of jaw joint misalignment while headaches, facial pain and neck pain are often from overworked jaw muscles. The stress on these muscle can then lead to posture problems as well as aching lower back muscles and problems with hip and leg joints.

A misaligned bite is most successfully treated through specialized skills in Neuromuscular dentistry. Neuromuscular dentistry offers pain relief without surgery, without invasive procedures, and from other health problems caused by misaligned teeth. Through bite adjustments, we’ve been able to relieve decades of health problems for many patients, often with simple measures.

Call toll free 1-866-9-Smiles to arrange a no-cost consultation so we can discuss your symptoms and determine if bite problems are the source.