Various factors can cause jaws to shift, putting strain on the surrounding muscles in our mouths. Some of the causes of jaw misalignment are tooth loss, mouth breathing, whiplash, genetics, arthritis or even a slight blow to the head.
People are not aware that unconscious habits such as jutting their chins forward, clenching their teeth when they are angry or even biting down on a pencil or pen can put additional strain on the teeth and jaws. This can cause premature wear and tear on the teeth as they are not designed for this destructive habit.
Jaw problems can also occur in children due to poor oral habits. The most common cause is thumb sucking in children beyond four years of age. Thumb sucking can push their growing teeth out of position by molding their upper palate with their thumb or fingers. This creates narrow arches and cross bites. Fortunately, this is a habit that many children leave behind when their permanent teeth come in.
With a narrow upper arch in both children and adults the tongue positions itself on the floor of the mouth so when they swallow they push their tongue against the teeth that do not meet in order to create a closed space. The tongue is one our most powerful muscles and the sheer strength of its thrusts when swallowing can prevent children/adult from developing or having a normal bite.
Be mindful and develop good habits by:
Be more conscious of your mouth position
Your tongue should rest lightly at the junction of the upper teeth and gum tissue and the lips should rest lightly together
The head should also be in a upright, balanced and in a relaxed position
“Remember, lips together, teeth apart, tongue in place”.
To help you be more aware of the tension in your jaws or face your can do a “facial scan”.
Close your eyes and ask yourself these questions:
Are my face muscles tense or relaxed?
Are my teeth touching together lightly or tightly?
Are my jaws hanging loosely with lips together and teeth apart?
Where is my tongue sitting? Is it sitting at the floor of my mouth?
Are my cheeks pulled into the sides where my teeth connect? Or, do I chew my cheeks as an unconscious habit? (often this will create a white horizontal line on the inside of the cheek)
By understanding and being more aware of your oral habits you can take ownership of your mouth and your dental health.
Thank you.
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