TMD – Quite the mouthful!
Would it surprise you to know that we frequently see people with TMJ (jaw) pain? If you’re reading this and are one of the many who have been treated by us for temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD), you already know the excellent results you’ve received with our unique treatment protocol. TMD is a condition that involves structures of the jaw and face.. It can be accompanied by several other symptoms such as headaches, neck pain, ear pain, and dizziness. If this sounds like you, here are a few tips to help you out.
Let’s start by describing the three categories of TMD. The first is articular or joint-related, the second is myofascial or muscular and the third is a combination of articular and myofascial. You might ask, “Well, which category am I in?” The majority of the people who come to us have a combination of joint and muscle involvement.
Some simple tips to help you on your way
First, you need to understand that one of the biggest triggers for jaw pain is clenching. We define clenching as ANY contact of your teeth. So with that said, here are a few helpful hints for finding immediate relief from your TMJ pain (TMD).
The first thing to do is to find the natural resting position of the jaw. As I said above, if you’re clenching, it will provoke the jaw. Find the proper tongue position by saying the letter “N.” Notice that the tip of your tongue is on the roof of your mouth behind your top teeth, with your teeth and lips slightly apart. If you struggle with this, enunciate the letter N (make it longer).
The other big hint is to practice proper breathing techniques. If you breathe through your diaphragm, instead of primarily your chest, it will reduce stress and tension, and reduce the likelihood of clenching. Breathing too much through your chest will also irritate your neck and shoulders. Try box breathing, which can be very helpful.
The above tips will allow you to be aware of any clenching patterns and also reduce physical and emotional stress. Since jaw dysfunction often affects the ability to eat, chew, talk, sing, brush and floss, and open the mouth wide as with yawning, it can be very debilitating.
If you need any help, don’t hesitate to give us a call. There’s hope for you!
Dr. Paula