Jaw pain can stop you in your tracks. A TMJ flare-up turns everyday tasks, like eating breakfast or talking on the phone, into sources of frustration and discomfort. This condition affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects your jaw to your skull. When it flares up, avoiding hard foods, clenching, and other actions that put pressure on your jaw can help prevent it from getting worse.
At Drs. Chin & Pharar Dentistry, we help patients in Las Vegas manage their TMJ symptoms with comprehensive care. Dr. Robert Chin and Dr. Jessica Pharar understand how debilitating jaw pain can be and provide treatment options designed to bring you relief. With our personalized services and patient-focused approach, we can help you recover faster and prevent further damage to your jaw joint.
How to Avoid a TMJ Flare Up
Prevention often works better than treatment when it comes to TMJ disorders. Recognizing the following habits and behaviors that trigger your symptoms helps you maintain better jaw health and reduces the frequency of painful episodes:
Eating Hard or Chewy Foods
Biting into a crusty bagel or chewing gum puts excessive strain on your temporomandibular joint. These foods force your jaw to work harder than it should, which can worsen inflammation and pain. Instead, stick to soft foods like mashed potatoes, yogurt, scrambled eggs, and cooked vegetables during a flare-up. When you start eating harder foods again, cut them into smaller pieces to avoid overworking your jaw.
Clenching or Grinding Your Teeth
Stress often causes people to unconsciously clench their jaw, especially during sleep. This habit puts tremendous pressure on your TMJ and surrounding muscles. Many patients don’t realize they grind their teeth until a dentist points out the wear patterns on their molars. This is a common issue affecting 10 to 15% of adults. Consider using a nightguard to protect your teeth and reduce strain on your jaw joint.
Opening Your Mouth Too Wide
Yawning, taking large bites of food, or opening wide at the dentist can aggravate an already inflamed joint. During a flare-up, your jaw has limits, and pushing past them can prolong your recovery time. Try to be mindful of how wide you open your mouth, and use your hand to gently support your chin during unavoidable wide openings like yawning.
Resting Your Chin on Your Hand
This seemingly harmless habit puts pressure on your jaw from an unnatural angle. When you prop your chin on your hand while working or reading, you’re forcing the joint into a position that can strain the surrounding muscles and ligaments. Keep both hands free while sitting at your desk or watching television to avoid this common trigger.
Chewing on Non-Food Items
Pen caps, pencils, fingernails, and ice might seem like minor habits, but they put unnecessary stress on your TMJ. These behaviors keep your jaw in constant motion and prevent the joint from resting and healing. The American Dental Association recommends avoiding non-nutritious chewing to protect your oral health. Replace these habits with stress-relief techniques, such as deep breathing or squeezing a stress ball.
Sleeping on Your Stomach
Your sleeping position affects your jaw alignment throughout the night. Stomach sleeping forces you to turn your head to one side, which puts pressure on your TMJ for hours at a time. Try sleeping on your back or side with proper pillow support to keep your neck and jaw in a neutral position.
Ignoring Stress and Tension
Emotional stress manifests physically in many people through jaw tension. When you’re anxious or overwhelmed, your body naturally tightens, and your jaw often bears the brunt of this tension. Finding healthy ways to manage stress, like exercise, meditation, or talking with a therapist, can reduce the frequency and severity of your TMD symptoms.
Get Relief for Your TMJ Pain at Drs. Chin & Pharar Dentistry
TMJ disorders don’t have to control your life. Dr. Jessica Pharar completed Advanced Education in General Dentistry at Texas A&M, Baylor College of Dentistry, where she trained in advanced treatment approaches for complex dental conditions. Dr. Robert Chin brings additional training from his General Practice Residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center, giving our practice the depth of knowledge needed to effectively address your jaw pain.
We accept most major dental insurance plans, including Delta Dental, MetLife, and CIGNA, to make your TMJ care more accessible. Our team takes the time to understand your specific symptoms and develop a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Contact us today to schedule a consultation and start your path toward relief.