Osteopathy and dentistry

The relationship between cranial osteopathy and dentistry cannot be overstated. Oral and dental problems directly affect the rest of the body. The face is composed of various bones. Some of these bones are very delicate and intricately interconnected. All the bones of the face, like the rest of the skull, move freely in relation to each other. This movement is important for maintaining sinus drainage and allowing air to flow freely through the nose. Trauma to the face can restrict normal mobility between the bones and can have far-reaching effects on the rest of the body. One of the most common causes of trauma is dental treatment.

 

Common causes of facial tension

 

Braces and Orthodontics

 

Orthodontic treatment dramatically impacts the normal functioning of the face and can affect the entire body. Enormous tension is placed on the facial bones when teeth are forcibly moved within their sockets. This restricts and disrupts the normal movement of the facial bones.

Symptoms: Headaches, clicking jaw, painful joints, irritability, decreased concentration, neck pain, decreased immunity, and increased sensitivity to tension in the musculoskeletal system.

 

After the braces are removed

 

The tension does not always disappear and is often felt years later in adults.

Osteopathic treatment is strongly recommended BEFORE the braces are applied to minimize the underlying tension. DURING the braces period, interim treatments will help the body adapt, reducing the effects and helping the teeth move more quickly. AFTER the braces are removed, osteopathic treatment will be necessary to reduce the long-term effects.

 

Tooth Extraction

 

The forces used to extract teeth can be transmitted to the joint surfaces of some facial bones. This can disrupt the normal mobility of these bones.

 

Symptoms: Sinus and ear problems, headaches, neck or lower back pain.

The initial pain and tenderness after an extraction can lead to one side of the mouth being unable to chew, resulting in an uneven bite, which in turn increases tension in the face, head, and neck. This situation persists if gaps remain between the teeth, especially if there is more than one gap.

 

Dentures

 

Dentures tightly grip the bones of the upper jaw and prevent or restrict natural movement.

 

Symptoms: Headaches, sinus and ear problems, tension around the eyes.

Prevention: Dentures should be removed at night to allow the face to move for a few hours each day.

 

Losing all teeth eventually leads to facial bone loss. It's important to maintain the correct distance between the upper and lower jaws. If the teeth are not properly heightened, it can cause imbalances in jaw muscle function and create tension in the face and jaw. Dentures should be replaced regularly because they wear out and need to be rebuilt to compensate for bone loss.

 

No more molars

 

Sometimes people have their molars extracted, leaving only their incisors. Without dentures, all biting and chewing is done by the front teeth. This places enormous strain on the head and neck. It almost always causes significant tension in the neck, causing headaches and neck pain.

 

Bridges

 

Bridges generally do not cause problems with facial mobility. The exception is a bridge over the two middle upper front teeth. In this situation, the bones of the upper jaw are fixed together, preventing normal movement of the bones.

Symptoms: The tension caused by a fixed midline bridge will aggravate any weak areas in the body. Almost all possible symptoms occur, including headaches, sinus and ear problems, neck and back problems, and even knee and foot problems.

 

Clicking Temporomandibular Joint

 

Pain and clicking in the temporomandibular joint are common. There are many causes. One of these could be an imbalance or tension in the face or teeth, and osteopathy can sometimes help.

 

Teeth grinding

 

Many people grind their teeth at night or clench their jaw when concentrating or during stressful situations. In children, grinding can result from pressure in the head or face left over from birth compression.

 

Symptoms: Tension and tenderness in the muscles of the face, head, and neck.

 

How can osteopathy help?

 

After reading this article, it might seem that any form of dental treatment should be avoided. This is certainly not the case, and many dental treatments are performed expertly with minimal tension in facial mobility. However, it's important to consider the importance of balancing facial tension caused by dental treatments with the various problems the osteopath identifies.

Many of the above problems can be successfully treated by an osteopath. If a dental problem is worsening and causing tension, it's important to have it treated by a dentist.

 

Osteopathic techniques used to treat facial tension are very gentle.