The human body is an amazing, integrated system. Although it’s comprised of hundreds of organs and many different systems that all serve their own purpose, nothing works in total isolation from the rest of the body.
With that in mind, it’s important to think of your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) as one part of this complex system – and know that it can be affected by the health of your body as a whole. Taking some proactive steps toward good health can help reduce TMJ pain – and help you feel better overall.
Reduce Stress
At MedCenter TMJ, we see stress as a major contributor to TMJ problems each day. We emphasize stress relief for all our patients to not only help relieve temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), but to improve your overall health. Many of our patients find that stress relief has an enormous impact on their health and quality of life.
Eat a Healthy Diet
The foods you eat can impact how you feel and can affect your joints and muscles, including your TMJ. Eat a TMJ-friendly diet with soft foods and TMJ-friendly cooking methods, and avoid foods that are chewy or hard. In addition, eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables can help reduce inflammation in the body, leading to reduced pain in your jaw.
Get Regular Exercise
Exercise benefits your health in so many ways. It can help you reduce stress, lose weight, improve your heart health, and even reduce your risk of certain cancers. The stress relief response and feel-good chemicals that are released with regular physical activity can benefit your jaw and help you feel more energetic and relaxed. Walking for just 30 minutes a day can have significant benefits – no gym or special equipment needed.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep deprivation can cause a number of health problems. Being tired leads to more stress, further irritating your TMJ, and research suggests sleep deprivation and TMD are linked. Do your entire body a favor and get the recommended seven to eight hours of sleep each night. If your TMD pain is interfering with your sleep, make an appointment at MedCenter TMJ to discuss treatment options that can help you.
Don’t Skip Breakfast
Skipping breakfast is known to cause headaches in people who are prone to them. The tension and pain from a hunger-related headache can further irritate your TMJ. Make an effort to eat several small, healthy meals each day and avoid foods that can harm your teeth and jaw.
Healthy Body, Healthy TMJ
At MedCenter TMJ, we take a comprehensive approach to treating TMD. We believe a healthy lifestyle can not only help improve jaw pain, but can help you lead the healthiest life possible. If you’re suffering from TMD, schedule an appointment today to find out about your options for effective relief.
Original Source: https://www.medcentertmj.com/healthy-living/lifestyle-habits-that-can-help-your-jaw/