If the eyes are the windows to the soul, the mouth is the gateway to the body
The mouth is the gateway to the respiratory tract and so the shape and size of the upper and lower jaws, and positioning of the tongue, affects your ability to breath and sleep well.
The mouth is also the first part of the digestive tract, so imbalances in the jaw can affect your ability to chew food effectively (overlooked part of digestion). There are up to 1,400 microbial components in the mouth. If you eat a healthy diet and maintain good oral hygiene, the oral microbiome remains in balance; in contrary, a poor diet and poor hygiene allows the unhealthy bacteria to proliferate. These bacteria cause inflammation, gum bleeds, tissue damage & tooth decay.
Inflamed gums cause the body to produce CRP, an important indicator of chronic inflammation and can result in systemic effects in other parts of the body, such as the heart or the joints.
The actual shape and size of the jaws can impact on your ability to breathe well. The upper jaw should be a broad U-shape with a flat palate and enough room for all of the 16 teeth. There are also 16 teeth in the lower jaw. Over millions of years, we have evolved to have enough room in our mouth for all 32 teeth. But today, in over 95% of the population, that is not the case often resulting in the removal of wisdom teeth.
Crowded teeth and jaws with less space in the upper airway, and less room for your tongue, can lead to upper respiratory problems, such as recurring airway, nose, and throat infections; allergies and asthma. It can even alter your posture in attempt to get more air.
If you breathe through your mouth, the tongue drops from the palate to rest on the floor of the mouth, and, over time, pressure from the lips and cheeks cause a narrowing of the upper and lower jaw. Development of the craniofacial area, including the jaws, sinuses, and nasal passages, is influenced by the parents’ diet prior to conception, the mother’s diet during pregnancy, and the baby’s diet from birth & throughout life. Following traditional diets of nutrient dense foods as opposed to diets high in sugar and refined carbohydrates is optimal.
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