Posted: November 27, 2022
The way our face develops can change a lot. Our face represents our identity, self-image, self-esteem, and attractiveness. What factors shape the way we look and what effects do they have?
The 3 Contributors
Creating beautiful, functional smiles is what dentistry is all about. The foundational elements of a great smile center around the face and framing beautiful teeth with healthy, aesthetically appealing features. Some of the most influential structures in facial development include:
Tongue
How someone positions their tongue when it’s at rest can influence both how they breathe and how their jaw develops. The ideal resting position for the tongue is pressed up against the roof of the mouth. When someone rests their tongue on the floor of their mouth instead, it can cause the appearance of a double chin and a more rounded profile.
Another example of the tongue’s influence is its role in airway access. When the tongue rests on the bottom of the mouth, it blocks the airway and causes mouth breathing. Mouth breathing can lead the midface to not grow properly and the lower face to narrow and elongate.
TMJ
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is another crucial piece in facial development. As one of the most complex joints in the body, TMJ development is particularly vulnerable to environmental factors like early thumb sucking, mouth breathing, and trauma. A TMJ that develops incorrectly can lead to crowding, overdeveloped, and underdeveloped jaws.
Airway
In addition to the influences tongue posture and resulting mouth breathing have, airway development can also change the shape of a person’s face. Someone who does not breathe through their nose will generally hold their mouth slightly open. Poor airway development and improper tongue posturing can also lead to sleep apnea which can cause dark circles under the eyes and general fatigued features in the face such as wrinkles.
Contact Evolution Dental Today
If you live in Calgary, Northwest Calgary, Cochrane or other nearby areas of Alberta and would like to learn more about facial development and treatment options, call Evolution Dental today at 403-768-2433 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kendra Schick.
*all procedures performed at our practice by a general dentist
