Effect Of Posture On Oral-Motor Structures

Oral-motor skills, chewing, feeding, swallowing disorders, saliva and speech-related problems are closely related to head and trunk control. Spinal and pelvic stability is important for oral control during feeding. Pelvis stability provides body control, body stability provides head control, head stability provides jaw control and jaw stability also provides tongue movement control and lip mobility. Oral-motor dysfunction can also adversely affect posture. Because of the interaction with the functions of the oral structures, the correct head position facilitates swallowing during feeding and reduces the risk of aspiration. Knowing the mechanism between postural and oral-motor structures will guide the approach to oral-motor problems. Key words: Feeding, Chewing, Posture, Swallowin