On any given day, you probably have to open your mouth more times than you think. For that reason, people diagnosed with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder are usually in agonizing pain every time they open their mouth even for the most basic of tasks such as to eat, talk, or even yawn.
Although TMJ can be treated via surgery and some non-invasive methods, the pain won’t leave when you are making the pain worse yourself. Here are some bad habits that contribute to TMJ pain.
Nail Biting
Nail-biting is a habit most people find hard to break. However, it can be one of the reasons you are having TMJ pain. Since nails aren’t cut so easily, it forces your jaw to work in a way it wasn’t intended. As such, it causes discomfort and pain. You can break this habit by filing and trimming your nails regularly. You can even go an extra step and get a manicure to keep them looking good.
Using Teeth To Open Things
Teeth aren’t made to be substitutes for sharp tools or the tools we use to open things such as bottles. By using your teeth like they are bottle openers or scissors, you are placing them in unusual positions and exerting more pressure than normal on them. This way, you run a higher risk of developing more TMJ pain.
Eating Hard And Crunchy Food
Some of the tastiest foods are crunchy, thus the temptation. While it’s true that eating crunchy foods relieves stress, it might not be worth it if you suffer from TMJ pain. By staying away from hard and crunchy foods, you give your jaw some reprieve so that it doesn’t have to exert undue pressure or move unnaturally, thus significantly reducing the pain.
We can always help you treat temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. However, it is up to you to make a conscious decision not to place any undue stress on your jaw and mouth muscles. The better you take care of yourself, the easier it’s going to be to stay without any pain. If you need direction or assistance on this front, don’t hesitate to reach us. It will be our pleasure to help.
