If you resemble a question mark rather than an exclamation point, we need to talk.

Poor posture is a result of lots of things; stress, maybe injury, or possibly just being chained to a desk all day long. According to the AGD, our poor posture could have a lot to do with causing headaches, jaw pain, and even TMJ disorders.

You never thought your dentist would be commenting on your posture, did you?

Poor posture places the spine in a position that causes stress to the jaw joint. When people slouch or hunch over, the lower jaw shifts forward, causing the upper and lower teeth to not fit together properly, and the skull moves back on the spinal column.

This movement puts stress on muscles, joints and bones and, if left untreated, can create pain and inflammation in muscles and joints when the mouth opens and closes.

“Good posture is important, yet many people don’t realize how posture affects their oral health,” says AGD spokesperson Ludwig Leibsohn, DDS.