Can Stress Make TMJ Worse?

TMJ disorder can cause significant discomfort and stress in day-to-day life. But can stress make TMJ worse? In this article, we answer this question and discuss the available TMJ treatment methods in modern dentistry.

Can Stress Make TMJ Worse?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. This joint connects the jaw to the skull and is located on both sides of our heads. TMJ disorder is any condition in which the joint does not function properly or causes pain. The main symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

• Persistent tension or pain in the jaw muscles
• Difficulty opening and closing the mouth
• Pain when chewing food
• A popping or clicking sound when closing or opening your mouth
• Headaches in the morning
• Persistent neck and shoulder muscle tension or pain

The leading causes of TMJ disorder include bruxism, trauma, and orthodontic issues (improper bite and misaligned teeth).

Stress can also make TMJ disorder worse, especially in the following cases:

• TMJ disorder is originally caused by stress and anxiety-related bruxism—involuntary jaw clenching and teeth grinding. If stress and anxiety persist or worsen, bruxism can become more severe, too, leading to exacerbation of TMJ pain.
• TMJ disorder is originally caused by issues unrelated to stress and anxiety, but current stress causes teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which in turn worsen the TMJ condition.
• Regardless of the causes of TMJ disorder, stress can make you more sensitive to pain, intensifying TMJ symptoms.
• Severe stress and anxiety can contribute to inflammation and impede healing, and thus worsen
• TMJ pain if the inflammation is already present.

How to Treat TMJ Disorder

In cases when bruxism and subsequent TMJ disorder are stress and anxiety-related issues, effective stress management and relaxation techniques are an essential part of treatment. Often, to reduce bruxism and its adverse effects, doctors suggest considering the following methods:

• Meditation and breathing exercises
• Yoga, pilates, and gentle stretching
• Frequent light physical activities, such as walking, swimming, or light hiking
• In cases when TMJ is not related to severe trauma, more intense sport activities, such as cardio training, reasonable weight training, or active games, can help reduce stress hormones and prompt the body to release serotonin, which can help naturally manage stress and anxiety.
• Additionally, sports can help build confidence, which reduces overall stress.  Ensure to consult your doctor before engaging in such activities.
• Counseling, especially cognitive-behavioral therapy, can help learn stress management and relaxation techniques, develop coping mechanisms for difficult situations, and adopt a more positive outlook.
• Adopting a relaxing hobby that helps distract the mind from stressful rumination and offers a sense of achievement.
• Medication, such as antidepressants, can be prescribed only by a professional health care provider after a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation.

In cases when bruxism and TMJ disorder are more severe and cause functional issues, your doctor is likely to suggest combining stress management with one or several of the following methods:

• Wearing a mouth guard at night to prevent excessive jaw movement and reduce pressure and strain applied to the jaw joint by teeth grinding.
• Medication, such as muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory drugs, and pain relievers.
• Physical therapy, such as professional massages, special guided exercises, posture correction exercises, and dry needling.
• An orthodontic treatment or wearing a splint to correct bite and teeth alignment, reducing TMJ strain.
• A surgery (in severe cases, when other methods are ineffective)

Treat TMJ Disorder at Chino Aesthetic

If you experience TMJ-related issues, do not hesitate to make an appointment with an experienced dentist at Chino Aesthetic today. We offer a variety of modern treatment methods and will provide an effective course of action tailored to your specific concerns. We are looking forward to your visit.