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The brain perceives stress as a danger that must be avoided. To protect the body and mobilize it for a quick response, it initiates the release of cortisol and adrenaline. The adrenal glands produce these hormones to support survival and prepare the muscles for physical threats.
Thus, chronic stress causes constant muscle tension. Muscles rarely relax, impairing circulation and leading to a host of other problems. The shoulders, neck, jaw, and lower back are most susceptible to such tension. In critical situations, a person may even "lock" the jaw, or it may become dislocated. This occurs due to TMJ dysfunction, which, along with bruxism, is one of the main consequences of constant tension in the masticatory muscles. In this article, we will take a close look at how stress manifests itself through bruxism and TMJ. You will also learn which specialists to contact and how to protect yourself from these negative conditions.
Why Do Jaw Muscles Experience Tension During Stress?
The main reason for jaw muscle tension during stress is sympathetic nervous system activation. It is responsible for mobilizing the body's resources in times of danger. This manifests as increased heart rate and breathing, dilated pupils, and a slowdown in the digestive system. Several important changes occur in the muscles as well:
● Glucose is released into the blood, providing additional energy to the muscles.
● Blood is redirected to the muscles.
● Muscles begin to contract reflexively to protect the body.
Why are the jaw muscles among the first to activate during stress? The reason lies in deep instincts shared by humans. Teeth are one of the primary weapons animals use for both defense and attack. So, biting is a serious defense mechanism that can cause significant physical harm to an attacker.
Humans can also use their teeth for self-defense in extreme situations, such as close combat. Therefore, in times of danger, the chewing muscles can contract to bite an opponent, thereby protecting the body from injury.
The Effects of Jaw Muscle Tension During Stress
Stress triggers hypertonicity of the jaw muscles, which can lead to bruxism. This medical term literally translates from Greek as "grinding of the teeth." This uncontrollable clenching of the teeth during sleep or stress causes a variety of secondary problems:
● Tooth chipping;
● Enamel wear;
● Facial and neck pain;
● Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction;
● Chronic headaches, and more.
These manifestations of bruxism make it both a neurological and dental problem. Furthermore, without addressing the psychological issues that cause chronic stress, it is also impossible to completely resolve this problem.
What is Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects the lower jaw to the temporal bone of the skull and functions synchronously on both sides. Its health is essential for the free movement of the lower jaw forward, backward, and side-to-side. The primary functions of the TMJ include both biological and social functions:
● Chewing and swallowing during eating;
● Producing articulate sounds, which enables coherent human speech;
● Providing joint stability and cushioning under high load;
● Ensuring mobility of the lower jaw during mouth breathing, yawning, and coughing.
However, in cases of chronic emotional stress, the normal function of this joint can be disrupted. A person may unconsciously clench their jaw, which overloads the joint. This can lead to negative symptoms, such as ear pain, temple and neck pain, facial muscle pain, clicking, crunching, or grinding sounds in the joint, limited mouth opening, and more.
This dysfunction can occur not only due to stress, but also due to injury, arthritis, or simply as a consequence of malocclusion. Therefore, both diagnosis and treatment must be comprehensive, addressing not only the symptoms but also the underlying causes.
How to Treat Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ) and Bruxism
Treating TMJ dysfunction and bruxism requires both professional help from several specialists and self-care. But first, you should conduct a diagnosis to ensure that this is the problem you're dealing with. A comprehensive diagnosis includes an oral examination by a dentist, muscle palpation, and an MRI or CT scan of the temporomandibular joint. The patient also needs to undergo functional testing (condylography) and an assessment of tooth wear.
Diagnosis of bruxism involves identifying abnormal tooth wear and areas of greatest tooth clenching, as well as measuring jaw muscle activity using electromyography. If the preliminary diagnosis is confirmed, the patient will need to consult with a variety of specialists: dentists, neurologists, psychotherapists, physical therapists, and manual therapists:
● The primary specialists in TMJ dysfunction are dentists who treat the joint. They are called gnathologists, which means "study of the jaw" in Greek. They analyze the characteristics of the dental system not only in relation to the bite but also in relation to the nervous system. These specialists study the movement of the lower jaw, prescribe and monitor treatment.
● You will also need a prosthodontist and an orthodontist. They will help restore the correct bite and tooth height, thereby eliminating joint overload. A dentist's intervention is also necessary if teeth have chipped or cracked due to bruxism. Partnering with dental clinics like VIP Dental Care allows you to receive comprehensive care from specialists involved in treating TMJ and bruxism.
● Neurological assistance is necessary for professional relief of muscle spasms and pain. Depending on each individual case, a neurologist may use medication, botulinum toxin, occlusion therapy, deprogramming, and other treatments.
● Physiotherapists use jaw exercises, heat and cold treatments, and hardware techniques (ultrasound, laser, electrical stimulation). Their primary goal is to relieve muscle spasms in patients and teach correct posture to reduce stress on the TMJ.
● Manual therapists contribute to the treatment program by relieving muscle spasms and restoring joint mobility. Their primary tools are gentle massage techniques, including oral muscle work.
● Psychotherapists play a key role in the treatment of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and bruxism when stress is the main trigger. Their goal is to get to the root of the stressful situation, help the patient understand the causes of their condition, and address them effectively.
How to Prevent Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and Bruxism
Treatment will only be effective if the patient avoids stressful situations or finds effective stress management techniques. For example, they can engage in meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises to relieve anxiety.
Maintaining good posture helps relieve tension in the chewing muscles and neck, thereby preventing joint strain. Therefore, a person should ensure their back is not slouched, and their head is not pushed forward.
If you have bite problems, you should seek dental care to correct them. Otherwise, the TMJ will experience uneven stress, which can lead to dysfunction.
To protect your TMJ, try not to open your mouth too wide when yawning. Opening your mouth wide puts strain on the chewing muscles and stretches the ligaments. Place your hand under your chin while yawning to relieve jaw tension.
Find effective muscle relaxation techniques. For example, this could include a gentle massage or specific exercises during the day. Before bed, you can apply a warm compress to relax your muscles and reduce the risk of bruxism.
If bruxism does occur, use night guards or bite splints. These will both protect your teeth from wear and reduce the stress on your TMJ.
By taking these preventive measures, you will relieve stress on both your mind and your jaw joint, helping avoid the development of bruxism.
The Bottom Line
The jaw muscles are among the first to become tense during stressful situations. If stress becomes chronic, prolonged hypertonicity in these muscles can lead to TMJ dysfunction and bruxism. So, if you are experiencing stress, pay attention to the condition of your jaw muscles. Use gentle massage techniques, exercises, and compresses to relax them.
To avoid this tension, alleviate the pressure of stress with meditation and breathing techniques. If the health conditions worsen, seek professional help from gnathologists, dentists, physical therapists, and psychotherapists. Together, they can help you overcome this problem and discover the benefits of living without chronic stress and dental problems.
