TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre
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Request an Appointment Click to CallTMJ flare-ups can be painful and disruptive, often caused by stress, poor posture, or diet. Identifying triggers and managing symptoms early is key. TMJ symptoms vary but often include jaw pain, headaches, and ear discomfort.
As many as 12% of people deal with TMJ every single day. If you experience any sort of chronic pain, you know how it can become a drain on your life.
Your temporomandibular joint works overtime — you use it when you're eating breakfast, chatting with coworkers, or even just yawning during your morning commute.
When TMJ issues strike, they don't just hurt at the moment. The discomfort lingers because your jaw never really gets a break. You're constantly moving it throughout the day without even thinking about it.
So, what causes TMJ to flare up? Understanding your triggers can help you tackle that sharp, shooting pain before it takes over your entire day.
The good news is that with proper care, you can decrease the intensity of your TMJ flare ups, as well as reduce their duration. With luck, you may even be able to avoid them altogether.
Typically, a TMJ flare up is when you encounter new symptoms or your TMJ pain suddenly increases in severity.
Common symptoms of TMJ flare ups include:
While TMJ pain can strike at any time, what causes TMJ to flare up is as varied as the people that have it. The causes of TMJ pain themselves may also affect the duration and intensity of a TMJ flare up, so be sure to avoid your known triggers if you've been living with TMJ pain for a period of time.
Here are some things that make TMJ worse:
There are a handful of things you can start doing right now to help reduce TMJ flare ups. Start by cutting back on hard or chewy foods that put a lot of stress on your jaw. These are common triggers that make TMJ worse.
Stress is another factor. We don’t realize it, but during times of stress it creates jaw tension during the day and while you’re sleeping. Focus on breathing and keeping your tongue off the roof of your mouth.
Posture is another important factor. When you’re slouching at a desk all day, it throws off your alignment leading to additional strain on the jaw.
All of these combined make TMJ worse and can lead to more severe pain over time.
If you are suffering from debilitating TMJ pain, contact the experts at Raleigh TMJ. We have the resources and the know-how to help you treat and cope with your TMJ flare-ups, and you just might find that over time your TMJ pain has reduced in intensity or duration. Schedule an appointment with a specialist today.
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TMJ & Sleep Therapy Centre of Raleigh-Durham
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