In recent years, many researchers have investigated the various factors that can
influence body posture: mood states, anxiety, head and neck positions, oral functions
(respiration, swallowing), oculomotor and visual systems, and the inner ear. Recent
studies indicate a role for trigeminal afferents on body posture, but this has not yet
been demonstrated conclusively. The present study aims to review the papers that have
shown a relationship between the stomatognathic system and body posture. These studies
suggest that tension in the stomatognathic system can contribute to impaired neural
control of posture. Numerous anatomical connections between the stomatognathic
system’s proprioceptive inputs and nervous structures are implicated in
posture (cerebellum, vestibular and oculomotor nuclei, superior colliculus). If the
proprioceptive information of the stomatognathic system is inaccurate, then head control
and body position may be affected. In addition, the present review discusses the role the
myofascial system plays in posture. If confirmed by further research, these considerations
can improve our understanding and treatment of muscular-skeletal disorders that are
associated with temporomandibular joint disorders, occlusal changes, and tooth loss.