Temporomandibular joint dysfunction has been discussed a lot lately as being a result of the pandemic. This worldwide event led to increased stress, uncertainty, sickness, and death. Almost everyone had changes to their sleeping patterns. This disruption to their routine leads to different adoption of habits to cope with what was going around them. Some people have increased accessory jaw movements or oral motor habits since this time. Others just started picking up what is called in the dental field a “paranormal habit” named Bruxism grinding or clenching their teeth. The other notable result is that the behavior of Bruxism hasn’t really declined since people adopted this habit.
Bruxism can be done in one’s sleep state or even during waking hours. The person may or may not be aware that they have adopted this habit. Some of its signs are waking with a headache, jaw ache, breaking fillings, having crowns fall off, losing bone height, wearing your teeth down, cracks in your teeth, or even part of your gum height decreased. You can also wake up feeling not-rested, or even tense. Teeth are only supposed to come together about ten minutes a day with chewing. When a person suffers from bruxism their teeth are in contact for a much greater time, often with a lot of force. The masseter, the main muscle that elevates the jaw, is the strongest muscle in the body. When you have that kind of force when you are not chewing food, damage to the teeth and surrounding structures will happen.
The good news is that there is help out there! You can visit your dentist to have a nightguard made to protect your teeth while you are trying to break this habit. But you need to address the other structures that are being affected by this behavior. This habit is typically a result of stress. When we are in a stress cycle that means that the sympathetic nervous system is on overdrive and it needs to be calmed down. When the nervous system is calm it means that the parasympathetic nervous system is being activated. When the sympathetic nervous system and the parasympathetic nervous system are in harmony and balance it is called homeostasis. We are all striving for homeostasis.
These behaviors result in muscle imbalances, certain muscles tighten from overuse and create muscle spasms on top of the other damage to the teeth. While certain muscles are tightening, also known as shortening; the opposite muscles are lengthening. This means that your jaw becomes imbalanced, but it is not alone. Your neck can have muscle imbalances along with vertebral imbalances, also known as your spine. Then your shoulders are affected, along with your back, then your hips go through the same process. The kinetic chain is when the body is out of balance with muscles lengthening and tightening because every joint acts on other joints. The body is connected, you need to treat everything in the kinetic chain to resolve this problem, or you will keep cycling symptoms and never treat the root cause.
Options for treatment include dry needling physical therapy to address the nervous system, the musculoskeletal imbalances, and structural deviations . You could try traditional physical therapy, acupuncture, or chiropractic care. You may need to see a couple providers, to completely resolve this issue. You may need to address the underlying stress, along with physical manifestations. The body works together, and you need to address all of the underlying imbalances to resolve the root problem, resulting in homeostasis.
Dr. Setzenfand has been a physical therapist since 2010 and a dry needling certified since 2022, she is also a Dental Hygienist since 1998. As owner of Total Healing Solutions, Dr. Setzenfand takes a naturopathic approach to health and wellness, she is also an Herbalist who makes herbal remedies. She believes in treating the root cause instead of symptom chasing. To ask Dr. Setzenfand a question or learn more about her business, call 412-282-3826, email atotalhealingsolution@gmail.com or visit her website: www.atotalhealingsolution.com