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Do you catch yourself clenching your jaw when you’re stressed or chewing gum throughout the day without a second thought? What about slouching over your desk or waking up with a sore jaw after a restless night?
If you’re dealing with TMJD (temporomandibular joint dysfunction), these everyday habits could be making things worse without you even realizing it. TMJD doesn’t just affect your jaw—it can cause headaches, neck pain, ear discomfort, and more, making daily life feel like an uphill battle.
At Dr. Cheney’s chiropractic office in Draper UT, we help patients uncover and address the root causes of their TMJD symptoms. Today, we’ll dive into some of the most common habits that aggravate TMJD and explore how simple changes—and Upper Cervical Care—can set you on the path to relief.
Key Takeaways: Habits That Prevent You from Experiencing TMJ Relief in Draper UT
- Everyday habits like clenching your jaw, chewing gum, poor posture, and sleeping in awkward positions can aggravate TMJD symptoms, making pain and discomfort worse.
- TMJD isn’t just a jaw problem—it can lead to headaches, neck pain, and tension throughout the body due to its connection with the upper cervical spine.
- Breaking harmful habits is a great start, but addressing the root cause is key to lasting relief.
- Upper Cervical Care at Dr. Cheney’s chiropractic office in Draper UT focuses on aligning the upper cervical spine, relieving tension on the jaw, and promoting natural healing.
Habit #1: Clenching Your Jaw
Stress often finds its way into our bodies, and for many of us, it settles in the jaw. Clenching your teeth—whether during the day or while you sleep—puts excessive pressure on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), leading to pain, stiffness, and inflammation.
You might not even realize you’re doing it until you start noticing the symptoms: soreness in your jaw, a tight feeling in your face, or even headaches that seem to come out of nowhere.
How to Break It:
- Practice mindfulness techniques, like pausing throughout the day to check if your jaw is relaxed.
- Try stress-relief activities like yoga, meditation, or deep breathing exercises.
- If clenching happens while you sleep, talk to your dentist about a night guard to protect your teeth and jaw.
Habit #2: Chewing Gum or Tough Foods
Gum might seem harmless, but constant chewing stresses the TMJ, especially if you already have inflammation or discomfort. Tough foods, like hard candy, crunchy snacks, or even steak, require repetitive motion and excessive force, aggravating TMJD symptoms.
How to Break It:
- Swap gum for mints to freshen your breath without overworking your jaw.
- Opt for softer, easier-to-chew foods whenever possible, particularly during flare-ups.
Habit #3: Poor Posture
You might not connect slouching at your desk with your jaw pain, but the two are closely related. Poor posture—especially forward head posture—creates a misalignment in your neck and spine that directly affects the muscles supporting your jaw. This added tension can worsen TMJD symptoms, leading to headaches and neck pain as well.
How to Break It:
- Set up an ergonomic workstation with your computer monitor at eye level and a chair that supports your lower back.
- Take breaks every 30 minutes to stand, stretch, and reset your posture.
- Practice keeping your head aligned with your shoulders, whether you’re working or scrolling on your phone.
Habit #4: Sleeping in Awkward Positions
If you often wake up with jaw soreness or neck stiffness, your sleeping position might be the culprit. Sleeping on your stomach or using an unsupportive pillow can put unnecessary strain on your TMJ and cervical spine, making symptoms worse.
How to Break It:
- Sleep on your back or side to reduce pressure on your jaw and neck.
- Invest in a supportive pillow that keeps your head and neck in a neutral position throughout the night.
How Draper UT Chiropractic Care Can Help
While breaking these habits is a great first step, lasting relief often requires addressing the underlying issues causing your TMJD symptoms. That’s where Draper UT Chiropractic Care comes in.
Why the Upper Cervical Spine Matters
The upper cervical spine, where your neck meets your skull, plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and alignment throughout your body. Misalignments in this area can put extra strain on the muscles and nerves connected to your TMJ, worsening symptoms like jaw pain, headaches, and neck stiffness.
How a Draper UT Chiropractor Like Dr. Cheney Helps
At our chiropractic office in Draper UT, Dr. Cheney specializes in gentle, precise adjustments that restore proper alignment to the upper cervical spine. By relieving pressure on the nerves and muscles affecting your jaw, these adjustments allow your body to heal naturally.
Patients often find that addressing upper cervical misalignments not only alleviates their TMJD symptoms but also improves their overall posture and reduces related issues like neck pain or tension headaches.
Take the First Step to TMJ Relief in Draper UT
Breaking the cycle of TMJD isn’t just about managing symptoms—it’s about addressing the root cause. Whether it’s clenching your jaw during stressful moments, chewing gum out of habit, or slouching without realizing it, these small changes can make a big difference.
When paired with Upper Cervical Care, you can experience lasting relief and improved quality of life. If you’re ready to take the next step, contact Dr. Cheney, a trusted chiropractor in Draper UT, today.
Schedule your consultation now at our Draper UT chiropractic office and let’s work together to create a plan that helps you feel like yourself again. Relief is just around the corner!
FAQs on TMJ Relief and The Role of a Draper UT Chiropractor
Why does my jaw hurt so much when I’m stressed, even if I don’t notice clenching it?
Stress has a sneaky way of settling into your body—often in your jaw. Even if you’re not aware of it, you might clench or tighten your jaw when you’re anxious, which puts a lot of pressure on your TMJ. Over time, this can lead to soreness, stiffness, and even headaches. If stress is a big part of your life, learning to relax your jaw during tough moments can help. Pairing stress management with care from a Draper UT chiropractor can give you lasting relief.
Is chewing gum really that bad for my jaw? I didn’t think something so small could hurt so much.
Yes, it can be! Gum might seem harmless, but the repetitive chewing motion puts a lot of strain on your jaw muscles and TMJ, especially if your joint is already irritated. If you’re dealing with TMJD, even small habits like chewing gum can add to your pain. Swapping gum for mints or softer alternatives can make a noticeable difference.
How is my posture making my jaw hurt? It’s not like I’m using my jaw to sit or stand!
It might not feel connected, but posture plays a huge role in how your jaw feels. When you slouch or tilt your head forward (like when looking at your phone), it throws off the alignment of your neck and spine. This misalignment puts extra tension on the muscles that support your jaw, making TMJD worse. Improving your posture and seeking Upper Cervical Care at a chiropractic office in Draper UT can ease that tension and help your jaw feel better.
Why does my TMJD cause headaches and neck pain? Isn’t it just a jaw issue?
TMJD might start in the jaw, but it rarely stays there. The muscles, nerves, and ligaments in your jaw are closely connected to your head and neck. When your TMJ is under stress, it can lead to tension headaches, neck pain, or even ear discomfort. Addressing the root cause, like upper cervical misalignments, can help relieve the pressure that’s causing your symptoms.
I feel like I’ve tried everything, but my TMJD just keeps coming back. What else can I do?
It’s so frustrating when nothing seems to work, right? Even if you’ve tried mouthguards, pain meds, or physical therapy, you might be missing the root cause. Everyday habits like clenching or slouching can make TMJD worse, but upper cervical misalignments often contribute to the pain as well. By addressing these misalignments with gentle Upper Cervical Care, a Draper UT chiropractor can help your body heal naturally and prevent the pain from coming back.
To schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Cheney, call our Draper office at 385-331-7035. You can also click one of the buttons below.
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