There are certain things you may do when you’re stressed that you might not do under normal circumstances. In fact, some of them you may not even realize you’re doing, such as grinding your teeth or clenching your jaw. But just because you’re not doing it intentionally doesn’t mean it’s not bad for you. Here’s how stress-related behaviors can make conditions like temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ dysfunction) worse, and what you can do about it.
What is TMJ Dysfunction?
TMJ dysfunction is a collection of disorders related to the temporomandibular joint of the jaw. Essentially, it is a misalignment where the joint does not remain properly in the socket during movement. It can be caused by a variety of things including injury, genetics, arthritis, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and stress.
Symptoms of TMJ dysfunction include headaches, neck and back pain, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), jaw pain, jaw stiffness, difficulty opening the mouth to eat or speak, and clicking or popping sounds when you open and close your mouth.
TMJ Dysfunction and Stress
Between five and twelve percent of the adult population is believed to have some form of TMJ dysfunction. It is most commonly found in women and is more likely to occur between the ages of 20 and 40.
Physical manifestations of stress can often worsen TMJ dysfunction, such as if you grind your teeth, bite your nails or chew on inedible objects like pen caps, or clench your jaw. These can cause tension in the jaw, or put excessive pressure on it, increasing the pain and stiffness.
Reducing TMJ Dysfunction Pain
In a perfect world, you could easily eliminate much of your TMJ dysfunction pain by simply cutting out all the stress from your life. But while that’s usually not possible, there is plenty you can do, even if you live a busy or demanding existence. Here are a few suggestions:
- Get plenty of rest.
- Stay hydrated.
- Speak to a therapist, counselor, or other mental health professional to help manage symptoms of stress and anxiety.
- Practice yoga, deep breathing exercises, or meditation.
- Exercise regularly.
If you are still experiencing TMJ dysfunction pain despite these interventions, the following suggestions may help:
- See your dentist for treatment for TMJ dysfunction.
- Wear a bite guard if you grind your teeth.
- Avoid chewing gum or crunching on ice cubes or hard candy, especially when you’re experiencing TMJ dysfunction symptoms.
Remember, while it is completely normal in this day and age to experience stress, suffering needlessly from TMJ dysfunction should not be simply accepted as a way of life. If you are suffering from any of the painful side-effects of this condition, reach out to your dentist for help.
About Our Practice
At Legacy Dental, our trio of skilled and caring dentists know how painful things like TMJ dysfunction can be, which is why we’re proud to treat this condition right here in our office. With many available solutions including bite guards for teeth grinding, we’re happy to help customize a solution that can help eliminate your pain and protect your smile in the process. If you’re ready to put an end to TMJ dysfunction discomfort, schedule an appointment with us today by visiting our website or calling 306-763-7841.