DYK? Your Posture & Your Oral Health

tmj facial pain and posture tmj therapy shippensburg pa

Did you know? Your poor posture could be causing TMJ symptoms.

You may have never thought about your posture in relation to your oral health, but if you suffer from TMJ or chronic facial pain, you may want to start. There could be a connection between the way you sit and stand and the pain in your jaw. Temporomandibular disorder, or TMJ, is a common oral health concern that causes painful and sometimes debilitating symptoms. Patient with TMJ may experience teeth grinding, jaw and facial pain chronic headaches, and jaw popping or clicking. Shippensburg, PA general dentist Dr. Zachary Sisler has advanced training in the field of TMJ treatment. 

Correcting your posture could bring your body and jaw back into alignment.

Posture & Jaw Health

The impact poor posture can have on your oral health may be surprising. If you hunch forward for long periods of time on a regular basis, think sitting at your computer at work, the spine misplaces stress onto the jaw. Slouching, hunching or leaning improperly can force the lower jaw forward creating an unhealthy balance and force on the jaw joint. Prolonged displacement of the jaw can cause chronic and painful symptoms associated with TMJ:

  • Facial tension due to the position of the skull and the spine
  • Headaches
  • Swelling and inflammation of the jaw
  • Pain, irritation, and inflammation in muscles and joints throughout the body
  • Discomfort and potential damage to the TMJ

When sitting or standing try to remain aware of your posture. Sit up straight and try to relax your shoulders away from your ears to relieve stress on the neck and jaw.  If you are experiencing chronic facial pain or swelling, contact our Shippensburg, PA dentist office as soon as possible. Addressing the cause of TMJ as soon as possible can prevent permanent damage to the jaw joint and muscles.