Posture and Dental Health

It is not commonly taught that the teeth are part of the skeletal system. Some may argue this point, but the role the teeth play in the balance of the body is crucial. The way the top and bottom teeth fit together forms a powerful relationship of how the body is balanced. When other parts of the body are out of balance, the effects will travel to the bite. Likewise, when the bite is out of balance it will throw off the rest of the body.

To understand this correlation, tilt your head all the way back and lightly touch your teeth together. Notice which teeth hit first (the back). Now tilt your head all the way forward, putting your chin to your chest and lightly touch your teeth together. Notice now which teeth touch first (the front).

Now that you have felt the effect that the position of the head has on the teeth, consider that this effect is reciprocal. If the teeth do not fit together in a balanced manner, the body will not be balanced either. The body will always compensate when some portion is out of balance, whether the origin be in the structure of the body or in the bite.

If the body is out of balance, then all the work a dentist may due to correct the bite will not have a stable long-term result. That is, unless the dental work is combined with postural work. Likewise, all the postural work a chiropractor may due to correct the structure will not have long term results unless the bite is balanced as well. This is why combining these two forces is so important.