The human body includes many organs, the functions of which are interconnected. An example of such a connection is the relationship between the dentoalveolar system and the musculoskeletal system.
As a result of a misaligned bite, serious posture disorders can arise, which in turn may lead to joint diseases, cardiovascular problems, and digestive system disorders.
Why is a misaligned bite a risk for posture-related diseases?
There is a close connection between the head and the spine. An incorrect bite forces the head to protrude forward when standing. This misalignment causes the neck and shoulder regions to stretch along with the head. The connection between bite and posture, which affects the condition of the spine, is evident.
The dentoalveolar system includes the temporomandibular joint. The bones forming this joint not only participate in chewing but also help maintain the body’s balance, functioning somewhat like a vestibular system. If a person has a misaligned bite and poor posture, symptoms such as motor difficulties may appear. These lead to disrupted gait, spinal curvature and scoliosis, and frequent migraines.
Research indicates that the likelihood of a child developing spinal disorders due to an improperly formed bite is 90%.
The influence of bite on posture is simple to explain. The head has its own weight and center of gravity. If structural changes occur in the dentoalveolar system, the center of gravity of the head shifts. This results in increased load on the neck muscles and spine.
Signs of posture disruption caused by bite pathology
Even a slight displacement of the lower jaw by 1 mm can cause pathological changes in posture.
Typical posture anomalies caused by a misaligned bite are easy to notice, including:
- protruding shoulder blades;
- sunken chest;
- tilted, forward-positioned head;
- protruding abdomen;
- changes in rib angles.
A misaligned bite can also lead to flat feet.
Parents often notice such issues in children and attribute them to weak posture, assuming the problems will resolve naturally over time without medical intervention. This approach is fundamentally mistaken — as the child grows, the pathology worsens, making treatment more difficult and time-consuming.
It is also incorrect to treat only posture. If the cause of spinal disorders and the above symptoms is a bite pathology, visits to massage therapists, kinesiotherapists, or orthopedists alone will not be sufficient. Treatment by an orthodontic dentist is mandatory.
Modern orthodontics ensures effective bite correction when a specialist is consulted in a timely manner.
How does posture affect dental occlusion?
Bite disorders can also be caused by spinal pathologies leading to poor posture.
Due to fixed postural reflexes, the body adopts a distorted position. This misalignment of the musculoskeletal system can lead to dentoalveolar anomalies.
If a child does not get enough physical activity, the back muscles weaken, and the correct body position is disrupted due to a shift in the center of gravity. This causes unevenness in the teeth, which may shift forward or backward.
In this situation, treatment is not limited to correcting occlusion anomalies. Along with addressing tooth displacement, the patient should also treat the spine, skeletal framework, and strengthen the ligaments and muscles of the torso, neck, and shoulder girdle.
Bite correction, provided at a fair cost, is one of the specialties of our dental center. Our specialists effectively treat this issue using braces, orthodontic plates, and aligners.
