The pain from a TMJ disorder often starts relatively mild, but it can get much worse over time if you’re not careful. You’ll want to see your dentist as soon as possible to see what treatment options they offer that can help you find relief. In the meantime, though, you’ll want to avoid any habits or actions that could aggravate your condition. Here are 6 things you shouldn’t do when you have a TMJ disorder.
1. Chewing Gum
Oftentimes, problems with the TMJ are a result of the joint being overworked. As such, any excessive chewing needs to be avoided at all costs. Stay away from gum for the time being to give the muscles and joints in your jaw a chance to rest.
2. Eating Hard Foods
Biting into an apple or other kinds of hard foods can put a lot of stress on your jaw, which makes it harder to recover from a TMJ disorder. Try to stick to soft foods that require little to no chewing so that your jaw has time to heal.
3. Non-Functional Biting and Chewing
Do you ever chew on your pen while writing? Are you in the habit of biting your fingernails while resting? Habits like these can put extra stress on your TMJ, so take the initiative in stopping unnecessary chewing and biting.
4. Resting on Your Chin
Resting your chin on your hand might seem harmless, but over time the pressure can move the disc in your jaw joint out of place, which can lead to further TMJ problems. Try to be aware of when you put your jaw in your hands and take whatever steps you need to to stop the habit.
5. Chewing with Just One Side of Your Mouth
Some people are used to chewing with only one side of their mouth. This ends up putting an excessive amount of strain on one side of the TMJ. Retrain yourself to chew with both sides of your mouth whenever possible. If you have a toothache that’s making it difficult to chew in a particular area, call your dentist immediately.
6. Clenching and Grinding Your Teeth
Habitual clenching and grinding of the teeth is one of the leading contributing factors for TMJ disorder. It usually happens while you’re asleep and don’t have conscious control over your jaw; as such, your dentist might recommend wearing a mouthguard to bed.
Remember, TMJ disorder is not a condition that you have to force yourself to live with. It can be treated, but you need to be proactive about taking better care of your jaw. Talk to your dentist today to see if they have any other suggestions for managing your TMJ symptoms.
About the Author
Dr. Tristan J. Parry earned his Doctor of Dental Surgery at Ohio State University. He is one of only 14 general dentists in North Carolina who has graduated from the prestigious Kois Center in Seattle. At Magnolia Shores Family Dental in Summerfield, he offers equilibration, occlusal splints, and BOTOX® to help patients find relief from their TMJ disorders. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Parry, visit his website or call (336) 728-6153.