The temporomandibular joint promotes the movement of the lower jaw. When you experience pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint, you may be diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder. While this oral issue tends to come and go on its own, severe cases may need professional treatment to improve jaw function. Temporomandibular joint disorder can occur due to various reasons, such as:
Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding increases the muscle tension in the jaws. This leads to pain and swelling of the jaw joints, hindering their function. Besides, teeth grinding can result in severe wearing down of the teeth' enamel, which can contribute to an imbalanced jaw. A misaligned jaw can cause jaw pain in the temporomandibular joint.
Poor Posture
The body functions normally when all the joints and muscles are aligned properly. When you spend a lot of time sitting, you are more prone to alignment issues. Also, do you know that poor posture can contribute to temporomandibular joint pain? Poor posture results in a misaligned spine, which, when left untreated, contributes to a protruding jaw. This creates uneven bite, which is a leading cause of temporomandibular joint disorder.
Poor Eating Habits
Eating habits can also cause jaw pain or stiffness. For instance, when you chew hard foods, you will exert pressure on the jaw muscles and joints, making them become fatigued. In this case, focusing on a diet of softer foods is essential. While many crunchy and firm foods help to stimulate saliva flow, it is good not to chew them for a long period to prevent jaw pain from worsening.
Dehydration
Joints and muscles require sufficient hydration to maintain proper function and lubrication. If you ignore water in your daily diet, you'll likely experience muscle and joint pain, including temporomandibular joints. Request an appointment with our dentists to learn the causes of temporomandibular joint disorders and the preventative measures to take.
The temporomandibular joint promotes the movement of the lower jaw. When you experience pain, swelling, and stiffness in the joint, you may be diagnosed with temporomandibular joint disorder. While this oral issue tends to come and go on its own, severe cases may need professional treatment to improve jaw function. Temporomandibular joint disorder can occur due to various reasons, such as: