When you suffer from the painful condition known as TMJ disorder, you may struggle to get lasting relief. Unfortunately, however, certain lifestyle influences can make your already uncomfortable symptoms feel a lot worse. Here’s a closer look at how stress can play a negative role in your TMJ disorder symptoms, and what you can do about it!
What is TMJ Disorder?
The temporomandibular joints are a series of delicate parts that connect your lower jaw (the mandible) to your maxilla (the upper jaw). Every day, you use them constantly to do things like eat, speak, smile, sneeze, and laugh. Under ideal conditions, you probably wouldn’t think too much about your temporomandibular joints, but if they become damaged due to injury or genetics, it can be difficult to focus on anything else.
That’s because when they become injured or misaligned, the temporomandibular joints (TMJ) can cause a variety of painful symptoms including headaches, neck and back pain, tinnitus (ringing of the ears), jaw pain and stiffness, and difficulty and/or clicking or popping sounds when opening the mouth.
The Connection Between TMJ Disorder and Stress
While it may not be a household name, it is believed that upwards of 12 percent of American adults have some form of TMJ disorder, although they are most commonly found in women between the ages of 20 and 40.
While there are many causes of TMJ disorders, stress is a common trigger, especially if you grind your teeth, bite your fingernails, clench your jaw, or chew on inedible objects like pen caps to cope with your emotions. These behaviors can all increase tension in your jaw or put it under excess pressure which only intensifies the pain and stiffness.
How to Get Relief from TMJ Disorder Pain
While it would be lovely to simply eliminate all the stress from your life as a way to reduce TMJ pain, the truth is that for most people, that’s not possible. The good news, however, is that there are still a few effective ways you can get lasting relief regardless of how hectic your life is:
- Get plenty of rest by maintaining a normal sleep schedule.
- Stay hydrated with water and cut caffeine during the evening.
- Discuss feelings of stress and anxiety with a trusted mental health professional.
- Practice relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing exercises, or meditation.
- Get regular exercise.
To address your TMJ disorder symptoms directly, speak to your dentist about your treatment options, which may include:
- Wearing a custom bite guard if you grind your teeth.
- Physical therapy.
- A Homeoblock appliance.
- Lifestyle changes such as removing chewing gum or excessively hard or crunchy foods from your diet.
Remember, while there’s probably not much you can do about eliminating all the stress from your life, what you can say goodbye to is the pain and stiffness of a temporomandibular joint disorder. To learn more about your treatment options, schedule a consultation with your dentist today and get back to living a pain-free life!
About Dr. Cha
Dr. Steve Cha earned his dental degree from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and has since then earned certification with the American Orthodontic Society as well as the Advanced Dental Implant Research & Education Center. He is a current, active member of American Dental Association and Texas Dental Association. To schedule a consultation for TMJ disorder treatment at Lake Forest Dental of McKinney, visit our website or call us today at 972-529-1800.