Temporomandibular Dysfunction And Stress

Stress and temporomandibular dysfunction are usually related. Discomfort and pain in the jaw when talking, yawning and even eating affect many people. This is not accidental. In fact, it is a common problem that is often discussed during dental consultations, and stress and anxiety disorders follow.

Temporomandibular dysfunction or Costen’s syndrome is basically pain in the jaw and surrounding muscles. It usually appears in the morning, just when you wake up and feel a sting in your teeth. It becomes more intense when you try to talk or eat.

From that moment on, other discomfort such as earache, tinnitus, headaches and neck tension can begin. It is a moment when the discomfort becomes so intense, diffuse and constant that it becomes overwhelming. Therefore, it is important to know about this condition and what triggers it.

Characteristics, causes and treatment of temporomandibular dysfunction

Visualize a padlock as you try to imagine what the temporomandibular joint looks like. It is the area that connects the jaw to the side of the head. Keeping this image in mind can help you understand the meaning of your daily activities. Waking up in the morning and yawning is just the prelude to what comes after such as talking, chewing, eating and drinking.

Also remember that this is an important link. This is because the temporomandibular region consists of several structures such as cartilage plates, muscles, ligaments, nerves, blood vessels, teeth, and eventually it also reaches the ears and neck area.

Temporomandibular dysfunction was not known until recently, when the incidence began to increase.

Symptoms of temporomandibular dysfunction

Stress and temporomandibular dysfunction usually appear together. Nevertheless, it is common for people to consult a dentist due to discomfort in this region and rarely link it to a disease due to mental upheaval.

On average, temporomandibular pain is more common in women between the ages of 30 and 50. The most common symptoms are:

• toothache
• the feeling of having a displaced jaw
• the mandibular area hurts as if you had experienced a stroke
• the pain is clearer when talking or eating
• it is difficult and painful to open your mouth
• It is common to hear clicking sounds when you open and close your mouth, and also when you chew

• there is stiffness in the jaw
• there is pain in or around the ears and in the temples
• There are also changes in the way you bite
• your teeth are sensitive
• neck pain may occur
• some patients may have tinnitus
• it can be a headache

Causes

Stress and temporomandibular dysfunction are closely related. However, it is always safer to get an expert diagnosis. You need to discuss the following triggers with your doctor:

• Dental disorders due to poor alignment of the teeth can lead to bruxism and temporomandibular pain.
• Stress is the trigger in more than 70% of cases, according to a study conducted at the Universidad do Estado in Brazil. It describes how this disorder is becoming more common in college age. Thus, worries, unmanaged emotions, pressure and daily problems lead to this discomfort, which is a frequent reason to visit the dentist.

• Similarly, the origin may be due to anatomical aspects such as disorders of the mandibular area, traumatisms, muscle problems and even neurological changes.

Treatment for temporomandibular joint syndrome

There is a link between stress and temporomandibular joint syndrome. In fact, there has been an increase in recent years due to stress and anxiety disorders prevailing in the population. This and other physical manifestations undoubtedly limit everyone’s quality of life.

In these situations, it is always wise to have the supervision of experts (doctors and psychologists). For example, a dentist may choose the following strategies:

• Stabilization rails. These are devices to reduce muscle pain when exercising jaw pressure. With them, they can stop bruxism and also change the sensory stimulation of this area.

• Physiotherapy. A treatment based on mandibular physiotherapy in addition to splints is also beneficial. It significantly improves the problem.
• Doctors recommend integrating different techniques into your routine to deal with your stress. For example, diaphragmatic breathing, progressive muscle relaxation, visualization or even yoga can be helpful.

Nevertheless, consult a psychologist if you have been dealing with this condition for a while and for example experience insomnia. There are times when people are overwhelmed by both physical symptoms and the mental triggers that limit the joy of life. Thus, the best and most recommended step is to ask for help.