Mouth-Body Connection
The Bite
Jaws are part of the whole postural chain. Pain and fatigue is inevitable with poor posture. Optimal health does not happen without a level head and balanced bite.
A misaligned bite and jaw perpetuate pain, postural imbalance, and the following symptoms:
- Head-neck-face pain, fatigue, depression
- Uneven eyes and ears, stuffy nose or ears
- Mouth breathing, sore throat, chapped lips
- Clicking jaw joints, cannot open wide, jaw pain
- Teeth grinding, sensitivity, and breakage
- Snoring, sleep apnea, hypo-thyroid
The Law of Form & Function says poor health may be rooted in bite misalignment and jaw underdevelopment. Examples include:
- teeth grinding
- snoring
- sleep apnea
Dr. A.C. Fonders, author of The Dental Physician, has written a landmark summary called Dental Distress Syndrome Quantified.
The good news: renewed whole body health may be just one bite-correction appliance away.
Oral Health
There is growing scientific evidence confirms that good oral hygiene improves your overall health by reducing the risk of serious disease and perhaps even preserving your memory in your golden years.
Heart Disease & Stroke
Chronic inflammation from gum disease has been associated with the development of cardiovascular problems such as heart disease, blockages of blood vessels, and strokes. Experts infer a cause-and-effect between gum disease and other health problems and the correlation is being proven with clinical studies. The findings suggest that maintaining oral health can help protect overall health. As far as stroke risks, oral bacteria can attach to fatty plaques in the arteries of the brain resulting clots, which can block blood flow, potentially causing a stroke.
Memory
Adults with swollen and bleeding gums (gingivitis) performed worse on tests of memory and other cognitive skills than did those with healthier gums and mouths, according to a report in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry. Those with gingivitis were more likely to perform poorly on two tests: delayed verbal recall and subtraction — both skills used in everyday life.
Diabetes
People with uncontrolled diabetes often have gum disease. Having diabetes can make you less able to fight off infection, including gum infections that can lead to serious gum disease. Some experts have found that if you have diabetes, you are more likely to develop more severe gum problems than someone without diabetes. That, in turn, may make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels. Reducing your risk of gingivitis by protecting your oral health may help with blood sugar control if you have been diagnosed with diabetes.
Pregnancy
Women may experience increased gingivitis during pregnancy. Some research suggests a relationship between gum disease and preterm, low-birth-weight infants. Not all studies have found a solid link, but maintaining good oral health is still the best goal. If you are pregnant, visit your dentist or periodontist as part of your prenatal care. Consider it good practice for the role modeling that lies ahead for all new parents.
For more information about mouth-body connections, contact us today.
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Friday by appointment only
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Office Location
81 Makawao Ave, Suite 101
Pukalani, HI 96768