The TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) connects the jaw to the skull’s temporal bones, allowing movement, such as talking, chewing, and yawning. Any problem associated with this part of the face is called a TMJ disorder—the patient experiences persistent pain and tenderness in the jaw area, ear, and neck. In case you are suffering from this disorder, whether caused by an injury, stress, or excessive teeth grinding, you should consider avoiding the following everyday habits.
Chewing Gum
Chewing involves the muscles surrounding the TMJ. If you chew on gum, you drive these muscles into overdrive, flexing and relaxing them up to a hundred times per minute. This repetitive movement places excessive stress on your already sore and sensitive TMJ. Instead of gums, you may chew on sugar-free mints, but remember not to bite on them.
Taking Large Bites
Often, patients with TMJ disorder experience pain when opening their mouths wide to accommodate a large bite of food. That can overextend the TMJs, straining their muscles and tendons. We recommend avoiding food that requires opening the mouth too wide, such as burgers and oversized sandwiches. We recommend cutting them into smaller pieces.
Drinking Excessive Amount of Coffee and Tea
A TMJ disorder and a caffeine addiction do not go well together. Coffee is commonly associated with stress, known to increase the heart rate and blood flow. It also causes unconscious tensing of the muscles, those surrounding the TMJ included. Additionally, caffeine’s effect is associated with the development of bruxism, or involuntary night-time grinding, which is one of the leading causes of TMJ disorder.