The orthopedist spoke about the effect of the feet on the position of the jaw

Disorders in the work of the feet can affect not only posture and joints, but also be associated with changes in bite. Mikhail Ignatov, an orthopedic traumatologist at the First professional network of orthopedic salons ORTEK, told Izvestia about this on July 23.

According to the specialist, malocclusion is not always exclusively a dental problem. In some cases, its development may be associated with the peculiarities of the musculoskeletal system, including flat feet.

The feet are the basis of the body's biomechanical system: they perform a shock-absorbing function and help to evenly distribute the load. When the arches of the foot flatten, the mechanics of movement change, the load on the knee and hip joints increases, and the spine begins to compensate for the resulting imbalance.

"The body is a single system, so changes in one part of it often affect the work of others. Due to the close relationship between the muscles, spine, and temporomandibular joint, changes in posture can also affect the position of the lower jaw. As a result, malocclusion may occur or worsen, as well as discomfort when chewing or opening the mouth," Ignatov noted.

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Bite correction, according to the specialist, should be carried out taking into account the condition of the entire musculoskeletal system. If the cause of the disorders is a biomechanical imbalance, orthodontic correction alone may not be enough. In such cases, a comprehensive diagnosis of the condition of the feet, spine and posture is required with the participation of various specialists.

Flat feet often develop gradually and may not cause significant symptoms for a long time. Possible violations may be indicated by rapid fatigue of the legs, a feeling of heaviness after walking or standing for a long time, as well as pain in the feet, knees and lower back.

To prevent problems with the musculoskeletal system, the doctor recommended choosing the right shoes, maintaining a normal body weight, regularly strengthening the muscles of the feet and shins, avoiding excessively high heels and prolonged use of shoes with completely flat soles. Timely attention to the condition of the feet helps to maintain proper posture and reduces the risk of disorders that may affect the bite.

German Dyak, a dentist-therapist and orthopedist at the Atribyut clinic, said on June 29 that stress can negatively affect dental health. According to him, nervous overexertion often causes bruxism — involuntary clenching of the jaws or gnashing of teeth. This leads to enamel abrasion, the appearance of microcracks and hypersensitivity of teeth, as well as increases the load on veneers, implants, crowns and fillings.