Are you slouching? Did you just sit up straight? If you have gotten in the habit of slouching while sitting at your desk at work or scrolling through your phone at home, you’re not alone. Unfortunately, however, health professionals consider it to be a modern-day epidemic. After all, poor posture has been linked to back pain, headaches, lack of quality sleep, and even misaligned teeth. Keep reading to learn more about how posture affects your bite!
The Link Between Posture and Your Oral Health
Whether at your work desk or on your couch, you shouldn’t get into the habit of slouching. In short, when your body arches over to support the weight of your head, your lower jaw gets pushed forward and your skull fits further back on your spinal column. In addition to placing pressure on your neck, this exerts force on your jaw, resulting in bite misalignment. Unfortunately, this takes a toll on the appearance of your smile while simultaneously increasing your risk of developing dental problems, like cavities. Therefore, it’s a good idea to ask your orthodontist about braces when you first notice your teeth shifting.
Tips for Improving Your Posture
Now that you know how important your posture is, the next step is to work on yours! If you’re unsure where to start, here are a few tips to help. First, lift your chest up by gently rolling your shoulders back, tightening your core for support. Next, maintain a straight line from your ears to your shoulders and down to your hips. If you’re just starting to get in the habit, you may need some extra assistance remembering. Setting a reminder on your phone every hour to adjust your posture is a great place to start!
While working on your computer or scrolling through an app on your phone, you may begin to unintentionally slouch over. Unfortunately, if it becomes a habit, you’re significantly more likely to experience unpleasant consequences, like a misaligned bite. The good news is that your orthodontist can implement a custom treatment plan to guide your teeth back into place!
About the Practice
At Simply Orthodontics Dayville, we’re proud to offer a comprehensive array of orthodontic solutions that result in beautiful smiles, strong bites, and better overall health. Both Dr. Sam Alkhoury and Dr. Barrett Nordstrom are skilled orthodontists who focus on personalized, quality-first, patient-centric care. So, if you’re struggling with misaligned teeth or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to visit our website or give us a call at 860-774-2008.