Have you ever had your grandmother tell you to “put your shoulders back, stand up straight, don’t slouch?” Well, at our Lyndhurst dental office, we think you should listen grandma’s advice not only for your posture’s sake, but also for your oral and overall health.
Posture & Overall Health
Every part of the body is linked to another. So when one gets thrown out of its ideal position, the rest follow. For example, many of us sit or stand with our heads too far forward, throwing off the symmetry of the rest of the body, including the jaw, neck, and shoulders. This causes strain on muscles and forces the shoulders forward and the jaw backward. When this happens, the bite falls out of its ideal, comfortable positioning and result in several issues like TMJ disorder, broken or worn down teeth, and even migraines.
How to Know if Your Posture is Affecting Your Oral Health
Listen to your body. If you’re in pain, something isn’t right. If you start to have changes in muscle fatigue or soreness, there may be a problem. If you notice any of the signs below, it’s time to call our Lyndhurst dentist.
- Jaw or neck pain
- Headaches
- Ringing in the ears
- Unexplained worn teeth
Take the Test
If you aren’t sure how your posture is, take one of these easy tests to find out.
The Mirror Test – Use a full-length mirror to check out your own posture. Start facing the mirror and look for the following:
- Level shoulder height
- Even hips
- Front-facing kneecaps
- Parallel ankles
If you’re seeing all of those qualities, your posture is spot on.
The Wall Test – Stand with your back towards a wall and place your head against it. Move your heels about six inches apart and place your buttocks on the wall. Use your hand to check the distance between the wall and your neck, and the wall and your lower back. If the gap is about an inch or two, you’ve been listening to grandma and standing up straight.
If you think you may be suffering from a bad bite, whether caused by your posture or not, schedule an appointment at our Lyndhurst dental office. We’ll check it out and find the best solution to get you comfortable again.
Welcoming patients from Lyndhurst, Cleveland, Beachwood .
