The orthodontist's warning about a bad bite: back pain and indigestion

The Spanish Society of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (SEdO) has recognized orthodontics as a "key tool" for health , while warning that a bad bite can be behind back pain, fatigue, or indigestion.

Coinciding with World Orthodontic Day , which was held on May 15, the SEdO launched the "Bite Well, Live Better" campaign, with the aim of raising awareness about the real impact that an incorrect bite has on daily health and well-being.

"Correcting a bite not only improves your smile, it can relieve neck pain, improve breathing during sleep, and promote proper digestion," explained Juan Carlos Pérez, president of the SEdO.

The Society notes that a misaligned bite can lead to consequences that compromise basic functions such as breathing, sleeping, eating, or concentrating.

Among the associated problems, muscle and joint pain stand out, since an unbalanced bite can generate tension in the jaw, neck and back, causing contractures and tension headaches.

It can also cause fatigue and sleep disorders , as it is related to sleep apnea or oral breathing, which affects rest and nocturnal oxygenation.

Furthermore, chewing poorly affects digestion and nutrient absorption, causing chronic gastrointestinal discomfort. An improper bite also promotes jaw tension, bruxism, and physical and mental fatigue .

"When we properly treat a malocclusion, we promote functional balance throughout the stomatognathic system, with a global impact on the patient's health," adds Pérez.

The Society emphasizes that modern orthodontics, planned by a registered dentist , is a fundamental medical discipline for preventing and correcting alterations that go beyond the aesthetic aspect .

Therefore, they encourage patients to go to properly trained professionals , avoiding the use of alignment devices circulating on the Internet without medical supervision, a practice that can worsen oral and general health .

These "direct-to-consumer" treatments, without professional supervision, can aggravate existing functional problems or create new imbalances that are difficult to reverse.

With this campaign, the SEdO also aims to reinforce the importance of early diagnosis and personalized treatment , especially in children and adolescents , since many disorders can be corrected more easily if detected early.

"Early orthodontic screening allows for a progressive plan tailored to the patient's development and avoids more invasive interventions in the future," they conclude.

The Spanish Society of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (SEdO) has recognized orthodontics as a "key tool" for health , while warning that a bad bite can be behind back pain, fatigue, or indigestion.