How Braces & Dental Devices Can Affect the Jaw, Neck, and Headache Patterns in Growing Children
Many kids benefit greatly from orthodontic care such as braces, palate expanders, and Invisalign. These devices are often used to help issues like mouth breathing in kids who never breathe through their noses or have sleeping issues, by helping guide proper jaw growth and improving dental alignment. Orthodontic appliances work by applying continuous forces to the teeth, jaws, and surrounding tissues, so as the mouth adapts to these changes, some children may experience symptoms such as jaw soreness, headaches, facial tension, ear discomfort, or even referred neck pain. Children who already have habits such as clenching, mouth breathing, poor posture, or previous jaw dysfunction may be more likely to notice headaches, jaw pain, or neck tightness during certain stages of orthodontic treatment.
Pediatric chiropractic care can serve as a helpful supportive therapy during orthodontic procedures, which generally can be over a year or two in length if not more. Since gentle pediatric chiropractic focuses on addressing restrictions in the cervical spine, TMJ mechanics, and muscle tension patterns, chiropractic care can help reduce neck discomfort, improve mobility, and support the body's adaptation to orthodontic changes. Many parents report improvements in their children’s headaches, jaw tension, and neck pain when chiropractic care is integrated with orthodontic management.
Recently a 7-year-old had an ALF appliance placed in her upper mouth as an expander, to help with her breathing and sleep issues. It worked well but caused her lots of jaw pain and headaches. Chiropractic care was instrumental in helping her deal with the discomforts that were the result of her orthodontic appliances as Dr Rubin gently adjusted her jaw and worked on her cranial bones that are commonly misaligned when using such devices.
References
1. Orthodontics and Temporomandibular Disorders: An Overview. Cureus. 2023
2. The Impact of Temporomandibular Disorders on Orthodontic Management: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2023
3. Effects of Rapid Maxillary Expansion on Head and Cervical Posture in Growing Patients: A Systematic Review. International Orthodontics. 2022
