ServicesHolistic DentistryCan teeth have a negative effect on the spine?

Can teeth have a negative effect on the spine?

Dr. Christian Sobek
Your expert on holistic dentistry
Dr. Christian Sobek

Teeth are an important factor in the overall appearance of the person. Beautiful teeth indicate health, youth and self confidence. Conversely, bad teeth or misaligned teeth to impairment of well being.

Undiagnosed misaligned bite can lead to forced positions of the jaw.

The lower jaw comes into its position through a neuromuscular movement of a hinge portion of the masticatory apparatus. The teeth can prevent this if there is a deformity, such as worn teeth, poor dental prosthesis or a gap with a moving tooth. This can have a negative effect on the body.

The patient reacts to a forced position of the lower jaw by pressing and rubbing the teeth. This leads in turn to an overloading of the temporomandibular joints and adjacent structures which can lead to neck tension, vertebral rotations, headaches and insomnia. If the cause of the forced position is eliminated, the tension is resolved. A relaxed body naturally wakes up much more rested and refreshed.

Just as a leg which is too short can have a massive impact on the pelvis and the spine, it is also possible that tensions due to lower jaw deformities exerted on the muscles can lead to vertebral rotations like an accordion leading right down to the pelvis. Various studies have shown that in everyday practice 15% of patients are shown to have symptoms of such malfunctions.

Just as the orthopaedist compensates for the short leg with a shoe insert, the dentist corrects the bite of the teeth. Various symptoms or disorders caused as a result of the malfunction of the temporomandibular joint, the bite position and the affected functional muscles are discussed. Added to these are the local pain in the region of the temporomandibular joint and the masticatory muscles, head and neck pain, various ear symptoms including tinnitus, vertigo, ear pressure or rush and earache and joint dysfunctions such as 'cracking'.

In any case with back pain one should always consult with an appropriate back pain specialist who in certain cases should think of a tooth problem. It is good practice to carry out an interdisciplinary collaboration among doctors, dentists and physiotherapists. it is important that a control well beyond the treatment takes place in the form of a follow-up with eventual corrections.

Thus, after successful completion of dental treatment head and back pain can disappear, or diminish significantly, and overall wellbeing can be improved.