Are you facing severe health problems that are disrupting your life? Do you keep getting headaches or snapping at people around you? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you likely have TMJ problems.
TMJ is a serious enough disease that can disable you if untreated. This can limit the rest of your life, so how do you treat it, and how can you prevent it from happening in the first place?
Keep reading to find out things that make TMJ worse!
1. Poor Posture
Poor posture can exacerbate symptoms of TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorder. Poor posture, like sitting with your head tilted forward or slumped over, can add stress to the joint. This makes your jaw prone to clenching, yawning, or popping.
This can cause extreme pain and discomfort when trying to move your jaw. To prevent this from worsening your TMJ, it is vital to have good posture when sitting, standing, and walking. This can help alleviate symptoms associated with TMJ.
2. Stress and Depression
Unfortunately, stress and depression can exacerbate the condition making it worse. When people are stressed, they may clench their jaw and grind their teeth.
Similarly, with depression, they may experience increased negative self-talk, loneliness, and fatigue. This can make the issue worse.
Also, other aspects of emotions like anger, frustration, and anxiety can cause tension, especially around the jaw, and lead to more discomfort. Taking care of your mental health and regular exercise could help reduce your TMJ pain.
3. Smoking
Smoking is a significant contributor to TMJ becoming worse. When someone smokes, they inhale numerous chemicals. This can harm the jaw joint, leading to increased inflammation and pain around the area.
Smoking also decreases healing and increases the risk of infection in the joint, leading to further pain and discomfort. To minimize the effects of TMJ and make recovery easier, stop smoking and keep the mouth hydrated with water.
4. Chewing Gum
Chewing gum is one of the many things that can make TMJ worse. This causes strain on the jaw muscles and increases jaw joint pressure. This can make the issue worse if you’re already dealing with TMJ.
Chewing gum can also lead to clenching of the jaw, increasing muscle tension and even more pain. Additionally, the sugary content in the gum can cause problems for teeth, gums, and jaw joints. It is important to avoid chewing gum if you suffer from TMJ to avoid worsening the symptoms.
5. Refusing To Receive Treatment
Refusing to receive TMJ treatment can make the disorder worse. It can cause the joint to inflame, spread the disorder to other areas of the body, and even cause the development of osteoarthritis in later years. Treatments for TMJ can involve lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and even surgery.
Dental appliance therapy can be crucial in treating TMJ. So if you’re looking for a “dentist near me,” consider how your lifestyle habits might contribute to TMJ. With the right lifestyle changes and regular check-ups, you can care better for your joints and mouth.
Avoid Things That Make TMJ Worse
TMJ is a disorder that can cause immense pain and discomfort in the jaw and facial area. It is critical to take steps to prevent things that make TMJ worse. These include managing stress, using proper posture, and visiting a dentist or physician for evaluation.
Talk with your doctor if you are feeling symptoms of TMJ, and start making small, healthy changes to your lifestyle today to get relief.
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