This Time Of Year Can Be Worse For TMD Sufferers

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, TMD

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! If you sang those popular lyrics in your head while reading, then you are one of the many who are starting preparations for the upcoming holiday season. While the holiday season can leave many filled with joy, it is well known that the holidays can also be a huge cause of stress for many. Sitting around a Thanksgiving table with your uncle questioning your life decisions or shopping for hours, either in person or online, for the perfect holiday gift can leave anyone’s jaw twitching in discomfort. For those that suffer with TMD, it can be even worse. Read on to learn some techniques to manage your TMD during the stressful holiday season.

Helpful Ways to Deal With Stress

Center for TMJ & Sleep Solutions NW, TMD

Stress and anxiety are common experiences for most people. In fact, approximately 70% of adults in the United States say they feel stress or anxiety daily. This is further heightened by the events that have transpired over the past few months. Individuals who have never experienced stress before are confused about what they are feeling. Stress is how the body reacts to and handles harmful situations, but ongoing stress can manifest in physical ways, like teeth clenching. Clenching teeth puts additional strain on the jaw muscles and increases the pressure on the jaw joint. Symptoms experienced can range from a sore jaw, muscle pain, tooth pain, or headaches as a result. Those who experience issues with TMD need to be particularly mindful of their stress levels. A recent article in The New York Times, mentions all of these symptoms and more as they relate to stress in dealing with the coronavirus outbreak. Learning to manage stress can help relieve these symptoms.