Reduce Your Stress?

Many of my patients have been discussing new jaw pain. The conversation sounds like this: “I haven’t been sleeping well.” “My jaw hurts.” “My teeth hurt.” “I have noticed that while I am working, that my teeth are clenching.”

Do those sound familiar?

In the last 12 months, I have seen and heard more complaints about TMJ or jaw pain, than I have ever seen in my 20 years of practicing dentistry.

People are more anxious than ever and their jaws are taking the brunt of it.

Stress and anxiety can increase TMJ issues. So, ideally, you want to get rid of stressors in your life. But seeing how we just got out of 2020, the year of everything stressful, eliminating stress is not something most of us are able to achieve.

Some of the things you can do to help with your jaw issues are:

1. Avoid sleeping on your jaw. Try a cervical pillow and attempt to sleep on your back.
2. Avoid chewy foods. Ice, Raw vegetables, hard crusted bread, apples, and large sandwiches.
3. Avoid clenching your teeth while you’re awake. You should be “Lips together, teeth apart.”
4. Avoid strenuous exercise. Things like lifting heavy weight will cause you to squeeze your teeth together.
5. Don’t open your mouth too wide. Actions like yawning will sometimes make your TMJ issues worse.
6. Limit your intake of sugar and caffeine. Have a healthy diet, get plenty of sleep and exercise.
7. Apply warm compress and massage the jaw areas that are tender. Use a hot, moist towel for 20 minutes, twice a day.
8. Take pain medication, as prescribed, to help reduce jaw pain.
9. Avoid stressful activities and situations.

If pain continues or increases, you may need to get a customized night guard to help alleviate pain. Give us a call at 773-292-1911 or visit us to schedule a TMJ consultation.

Floss Like A Madman!
Emilio “Stress Free World” Couret