The Connection Between Bite and Posture

How Bite Affects Posture

Many patients are unaware of the connection between posture and bite. Yet it has long been known that bite can affect posture, and posture can, in turn, affect the bite.

How This Connection Works

There is a close connection between the head and the spine. If a person holds their head forward of their shoulders, the neck and shoulders will also shift position to compensate. The bite is similarly connected to the spine and depends on the position of the head and overall posture.

A Simple Experiment

Tilt your head back and gently close your teeth — you will notice that the back teeth make contact first. Now tilt your head forward toward your chest and gently close — the front teeth make first contact. This example clearly demonstrates how head position affects dental occlusion.

Interdisciplinary Approach

This is why more and more doctors pay attention to posture, head and shoulder position during patient examinations. Sometimes orthodontic treatment is accompanied by procedures with a kinesiotherapist or manual therapist. At Orto Clinic Chisinau, we work in a multidisciplinary team to achieve comprehensive results.