Do you know that the osteopathic literature has reported the existence of a rhythmic movement of the skull. This movement, occurring at a rate of 8-12 times per minute persists throughout life. It is considered to be a vital fife force required for the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid.
ln co-treating with osteopathic physicians, it is common to find that proper positioned upper and lower jaws in a correct bite will enhance that motion in a number of directions, optimizing posture and wellbeing .
This will aid in proper tongue posture and breathing. If the tongue is not against the roof of your mouth , it is likely to be a sign of inadequate space, incorrect distance between jaws , improperly positioned mandible ,TMD, an undiagnosed dental problem, an airway problem, a cervical problem, or a neurological problem.
Proper growth and development will bring aligned jaws into place for proper neurological function ,ie : daytime breathing , sleeping without apneic episodes , rest and digestion .
Some of the dental appliances we use in the office to bring jaws into alignment- like the Homeoblock- include a spring design the promotes better upper jaw alignment as well as releasing the mandible to a more forward position which will benefit breathing , help with TMJ , crowded teeth , neck pain and tongue posture
Breath is getting more attention these days . “ Don’t forget to breathe “ went from being just a light hearted joke to a statement we are paying attention to . Books , blogs , vlogs seem to have endless recommendations for better breathing , yet if narrow dental arches restrict the position of the tongue and size of the airway , no matter what breathing technique is in place we can not properly inhale the amount of air we need , at night we call this sleep apnea ; during daytime stress or nervous system sensitization .
Evaluation of your jaws posture and development is part of our comprehensive dental evaluation , along with a 3D head and neck scan and photography