The temporomandibular joint is the only joint in the face where the mandible and the temporal bone meet. When the temporomandibular joint is normally possible, it can be said that basic actions such as breathing by opening the mouth freely, talking, and chewing food become possible. When a problem occurs in the temporomandibular joint, it becomes difficult to open the mouth, leading to a temporomandibular joint disorder that causes problems with speech and food intake. And when the temporomandibular joint disorder is prolonged, not only the jaw, but also the pain will upset the balance of the body and affect the spine. Temporomandibular joint disorder is known to be affected by various causes, such as trauma, occlusal misalignment, musculoskeletal disorders, excessive emotional stress, and lifestyle. Among them, it is known that lifestyle habits in which abnormal force is applied to the temporomandibular joint have a significant effect on temporomandibular joint disorders. Temporomandibular joint disorder is difficult to treat and it is known that the recurrence rate of related diseases is high. So today, let’s take a look at some of the habits that adversely affect the temporomandibular joint.
Bad habits for the jaw joint
1. Habit of frequently eating hard and chewy foods
The first habit that puts stress on the temporomandibular joint is the habit of frequently eating hard and chewy foods such as squid. Foods that are chewed or eaten with strong chewing excessively strain the lower jaw muscles and at the same time apply a strong force to the jaw. And if you keep repeating this habit, the possibility of causing muscle damage to the jaw increases, and if it is prolonged, it can affect the facial bones and muscles and break the left and right balance of the face. is recommended to improve. In addition, the habit of consuming gum frequently is also one of the habits that puts stress on the temporomandibular joint, so be careful.
2. The habit of clenching your teeth
It is said that the habit of habitually biting teeth without knowing it is a habit that puts a lot of strain on the temporomandibular joint. When the mouth is closed, it is normal for the upper and lower teeth to be wide enough to fit a pen in. If you bite your teeth too tightly, the temporomandibular joint muscles are strained more than necessary, which puts strain on the temporomandibular joint and teeth. In particular, if you continue this habit, you may be applying excessive force to the neck. Therefore, you should be conscious of keeping your upper and lower teeth apart and avoid squeezing them tightly.
3. Sleep Habits
Sleeping posture habits such as lying on your stomach or sleeping on your side are also factors that affect the temporomandibular joint. This habit applies force in one direction, so it is recommended to be careful as it can put strain on the chin. In addition, the habit of unconsciously grinding teeth while sleeping can also cause damage to the surrounding tissues by putting stress on both jaw joints, which can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders. Therefore, it is important to identify and address the main causes of bruises.
4. Bad posture
It is said that using a computer, smartphone, or reading in a bent or tilted position is also a habit that adversely affects the temporomandibular joint. If such a posture becomes a habit, it causes neck and shoulder pain, and if it persists for a long time, it can be an indirect cause of temporomandibular joint pain by distorting the body shape. Therefore, it is important to consciously recognize the wrong posture, make the right posture a habit, and to loosen the muscles through stretching and bare-handed gymnastics from time to time.
Other habits to watch out for
In addition to the various habits introduced above, it is recommended to be careful because the habit of keeping the jaw in one direction for a long time or eating food can also put a strain on the jaw joint. Excessive stress is also a factor that can put a strain on the jaw joint, so it is necessary to relieve tension through proper stress management.
