Did you know that you can still have oral dysfunction? What does this mean? This is where the neurology of the skull, jaw and soft tissues in the palate can not function correctly.
The neurology in the jaw and palate is immense, and tension and or dysfunction in the jaw and mouth can trigger a more sympathetic dominant state of the nervous system. Your jaw and oral health is directly connected to your upper neck as well. C0-C2. The curve, and movement of the cervical spine is crucial to supporting healthy oral function.
A normal balance of sympathetic to parasympathetic is 80/20. If there is oral dysfunction it can increase trigeminal nerve activity and this branch or nerve carries sympathetic neurology.
How do you know you have oral dysfunction and what is it?
Many don’t know unless they start to have pain, have trouble suddenly with swallowing or choking. In kiddos it can present when a little has had tongue tie, lip tie, congenital torticollis, reflux, flat head, clicking with nursing, poor latch, having cross crawl or crawling issues to name a few, and including speech issues. In adults it can be uneven wear, and TMD or TMJ pain, sleep disturbances.
The order of normal palate and mandible growth can be impacted when there is dysfunction in the neurology and soft tissue of the dura meningeal system. This tension can create flexion or high palate impacting jaw and teeth growth as well.
As a chiropractor we work with removing interference to the nervous system and adjust the skull, sphenoid, jaw or TMJ and teach individuals how to help themselves in order to improve oral dysfunction.
When is the best time to assess? Now – Pediatrics within the first 2-4 weeks post natal and periodic well checks to ensure no dysfunction has occurred. In tweens, teens and adults – right now. Even while having appliances and braces on – chiropractic supports the function of the oral complex to support greater ease in the nervous system, (no interference), supporting soft tissue, cranial and cervical health with the correct motion and alignment.
This is a brief introduction – yes there is more to it than this short outline. Working with your dental health provider along with a chiropractor that focuses on Oral function, cervical spine health and you is important.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Dr. Wendy Coburn #OneVillageChiropractic – #Crestwood – #Highlands – #YEG – #Edmonton – #oraldysfunction #TMD #TMJ
