TMJ disorder (TMD) is a painful condition that affects the jaw joint and surrounding muscles. It can cause discomfort, headaches, and many other symptoms. If you believe you have TMD, you should certainly see a professional so they can provide necessary treatment. In the meantime, though, there are some things you can do on your own that might provide a measure of pain relief. For example, you may need to stop doing these things:
Chewing Gum
If you have a healthy TMJ (jaw joint), chewing sugar-free gum is a harmless habit. It can stimulate saliva production, which in turn may lower your risk of cavities. Unfortunately, chewing gum is not so great for people with TMD. The muscles around your jaw joint are already sore and stressed, so the extra strain of chewing a piece of gum is only likely to worsen matters.
Slouching
Poor posture can lead to aches and pains throughout the body, including in your jaw and face Your TMJ works best when your body is well-aligned, with your head properly positioned at the top of your spine. Try to keep your shoulders back and your head up so you do not accidentally end up worsening your TMD pain.
Eating Hard Foods
Just like chewing gum can overwork your vulnerable facial muscles and TMJ, so can hard and chewy foods. It would be best to eat mostly soft items that require little to no chewing. Here are a few examples:
- Brothy soup
- Smoothies
- Soft bread
- Scrambled eggs
- Soft fruits, like bananas and berries
- Well-cooked veggies
Resting Your Head on Your Chin
When you are catching up on social media, do you sometimes prop your head up on your fist, using your chin as support? This can place pressure on your jaw joint, and it might even cause the discs in your TMJ to slip out of place. Again, it is important to mind your posture even when you are bored or scrolling through content on your smartphone.
Chewing Food on Only One Side of Your Mouth
Do you tend to automatically shift your food to one side of your mouth when you are chewing? This can worsen TMD because it places uneven stress on your jaw joint and the nearby muscles. (As a side note, if tooth pain is the reason why you only chew on one side of your mouth, you should see your dentist for treatment ASAP.)
Non-Functional Jaw Activities
Non-functional jaw activities are any use of your jaw that is not related to speaking or eating. For example, you might bite your fingernails or chew on pen caps. These habits create extra work for your TMJ and can worsen TMD symptoms.
Smoking
Smoking is bad for your head-to-toe health, and your TMJ is no exception. The compounds found in tobacco smoke contribute to inflammation, which can exacerbate your symptoms. Smoking also slows down your body’s ability to heal.
Professional care is the best way to address TMJ disorder, but modifying some of your daily habits may also reduce your pain!
Meet the Practice
Dr. Tom Hall is an experienced orthodontist who has extensive experience in treating TMJ disorder. He has in-depth knowledge of how the jaw joint functions, and he is eager to put his expertise to work for patients. To learn more about how Dr. Hall and our team may be able to serve you, contact our Greater Heights, Houston office at 713-862-8223.