Can Anxiety Cause TMJ? Ways to Unlock Relief (and your jaw)

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Can anxiety cause TMJ? Ways to unlock relief (and your jaw) to stop your teeth grindin’ and your jaw from lockin’ up. It’s an age-old mystery and I’ve got answers that’ll give you some relief. Ready to unlock the puzzle and get your jaw feelin’ back to normal? Stick around and finds out how! Whether you need a laugh or two to take off the edge, we’ve got it all packed in here – plus words of wisdom from experts in the know. So come on and join us – let’s get crackin’ on this jaw-dropping mystery!

Definition of Anxiety & TMJ

What is anxiety? Ha! Don’t we wish we didn’t know the feeling? Anxiety is a feeling of worry and unease that can affect us all! It’s very common to feel a bit worried from time to time. But when someone has TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder), it can be accompanied by spells of anxiety. This joint connects the jawbone to the skull, and helps us move our jaw, chew, talk, and maybe even yawn! When this jaw joint doesn’t work correctly, jaw muscles and tissues may become sore or stiff– impacting the jaw’s movement. Even lower teeth can become tender or painful! If you’re feeling any unexplained jaw pain, don’t fear! See a doctor your nearest doctor soon – they may have a soothing remedy that’ll have you grinning wide like the Grinch in no time!

Can Anxiety Cause TMJ?

Do you ever feel like your jaw is gonna explode? People with anxiety disorders often experience Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, more commonly known as TMJ. Actually, it’s estimated that around 10 million Americans are living with this condition. Did you know that anxiety can cause TMJ? People with anxiety find themselves between a rock and a hard place when it comes to TMJ. The stress that causes your anxiety can be the root cause of your jaw troubles! So if you’re finding yourself grinding away or clenching your jaw, maybe it’s time to take a few deep breaths and relax (as if it’s that simple!).

People with anxiety often experience TMJ dysfunction – and it’s no joke! It turns out that heightened anxiety levels can be a direct cause of TMJ. People with high-stress lifestyles are particularly at risk for developing the issue. If you find yourself chewing on the inside of your mouth all the time, or if you have a hard time opening and closing your jaw, take a deep breath and consult a doctor – it might be related to too much stress in your life.

This is my jaw w/anxiety and TMJ https://t.co/0tiLuEoNfy

— A B B Y (@probablyabbyy) September 27, 2021

My Personal Story with Anxiety & TMJ

Growing up, I wondered, “can anxiety cause TMJ?” I was very anxious and had lots of worries. Little did I know that in middle school, my jaw would start snapping! Turns out, I had ehlers-danlos syndrome, which explains why my teeth shifted after getting braces twice. My temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) got so bad that I swore off chewing gum and steak. With some serious self-care: eating healthier, softer foods; physical therapy exercises, and relaxation techniques as simple as sitting and reading or listening to an audiobook while doing chores – TMJ has become a thing of the past for me! Nowadays, all I experience is an occasional sore jaw when I wake in the morning – nothing too serious! Phew.

What are the Causes of TMJ?

Have you ever woken up with a sore jaw and wondered why? You might have TMJ, and if you do, you’re not alone – it affects an estimated 10 million people in the United States! What are some common causes of TMJ? Well, it turns out there are a few, like having misaligned teeth or an uneven bite. There can also be other risk factors involved that worsen your condition like genetics, stress, grinding your teeth at night, poor posture (really, really), and maybe some in-laws! Luckily for you, there are plenty of effective treatments available to help relieve any discomfort. So if you’re looking for relief from your painful jaw, put your worries aside because help is on the way! Let’s get cracking! (See what I did there?) LMFa(ce)O

Common Symptoms of TMJ

Are your jaws feeling sore? Is it hard to fully open your mouth? Does it hurt when you bite food or chew gum? If you’re grinding your teeth, or even having trouble sleeping due to jaw pain – yeppers, that’s TMJ. Are your ears ringing? It could be related! And while facial swelling may leave you looking like a chipmunk on steroids, aches and pains in the neck or shoulders can also signal temporomandibular disorder. Unfortunately, if laughter is accompanied by pain in the jaw muscle – that’s another sure sign of TMJ. Really though, I’d advise seeing a doctor rather than just relying on my comedic musings as an indicator. Better safe than sorry!

The top 10 symptoms of TMJ are:

Yikes! These sounds can also look pretty funny (not to mention weird) if seen from a distance!

Are There Similar Symptoms Between Anxiety and TMJ?

Do you suffer from jaw tension that just won’t quit? If so, you might be wondering if it could be related to anxiety. After all, many of the symptoms of anxiety and TMJ overlap – stress, headaches, muscle tension, difficulty sleeping, and gritting or clenching of the teeth. Or maybe it’s just my constant joking around that’s giving you jaw tension! Add stress to your everyday life and suddenly that tense feeling in your jaw might become more prominent. Now I know what you’re thinking, “how do I combat this jaw tension without giving up my favorite hobby – worrying?”

How Does Anxiety Affect the Body Physically?

Anxiety can wreak serious physical havoc on our bodies! Your body reacts in all sorts of neuromuscular and neurological ways to help protect itself from the perceived danger. Blood vessels constrict, allowing less blood to flow and pushing your heart rate up. That feeling we get when anxious? It’s actually physical pain sensed on one side of our face! No wonder we’re left feeling so frazzled. Not to mention the sky-high cortisol levels it can generate when we don’t take the time to assess our anxieties. Anxiety is more than just a mental hurdle – its physical symptoms cannot be underestimated!

Can Anxiety Increase Risk for Developing TMJ?

Who knew anxiety could do so much damage? Well, according to recent medical studies, it can definitely increase the chances of developing TMJ. That’s right, stress and worry can actually wreak havoc on your jaw Joints! Without proper treatment of anxiety, you run the risk of dealing with chronic pain in the face and neck area. Let me put it this way – if you want to keep your jaw feeling good and be able to eat without discomfort, it’s probably best to keep the worrying to a minimum. That doesn’t mean don’t think about things that need to get done; just try to find healthier ways of dealing with stress. I’m sure everyone could use some tips on that – lookin’ at you, couch-potato Netflix bingers!

i see your anxiety-induced tmj and raise you one invisalign-induced tmj

— kyra🦦 (@kyrawhoo) January 13, 2021

The Vicious Cycle Between Anxiety and TMJ

If anxiety disorders have you in a full-body chokehold, don’t think twice about adding your jaw to the list of victims. TMJ commonly works in tandem with anxiety as anxiety paves way for muscular tension of the face, and then the pain starts popping off like fireworks. It’s a vicious cycle that’ll have your jaw clenching up more than Jaws at the sound of its own soundtrack. Don’t be bitten by anxiety, keep it at bay and stay happy and healthy – and that means avoiding unnecessary physical distress of your jaw! All of this leads to psychological distress, and psychological distress increases anxiety which only makes the TMJ pain worse…again.

Other Factors that May Influence Risk for Developing TMJ

Who knew having a snoring problem could lead to TMJ? Well, according to many recent research studies:

• Of these higher-risk influencers, obstructive sleep apnea is the big baddy so watch out if you have it! Worst case scenario? You may end up with lockjaw – ouch! – who knew?!
• Being a woman could also increase your risk of developing TMJ; women are two times more likely than men to struggle with this issue.
• Poor posture…shocking, I know! This could put stress on muscles and joints in the face which then leads quite quickly to TMJ.
• Stress is another factor that may influence the risk of a person getting TMJ; if people don’t do things like learning to relax or practicing yoga, they could be in for a world of hurt – literally!
• Then there are lifestyle factors like:
  • Teeth Grinding
  • Gum Chewing

All these can be linked as potential contributors towards an increased risk of getting TMJ. Isn’t life so much fun? All I can say is that being extra mindful about what you put your body through surely can’t ever hurt, am I right?

Josie’s Story About How TMJ Made her Wedding Day Interesting 

With her wedding day just around the corner, Josie was extra stressed out. Little did she know, self-managing her anxiety by grinding her teeth at night would lead to TMJ problems that made for an interesting wedding day! When it came time to kiss the bride, it turned out there was a bit of a snag – her jaw had locked up and as much as she wanted to, she wasn’t able to kiss her husband. While this might have been a disaster for some couples, Josie and her spouse took it all in stride and shared a good giggle; turning what could have been an embarrassing moment into one to remember! The unexpected TMJ issues may have thrown them off their game but self-care thoughts like this didn’t stand between Josie and the special moment she’d been planning.

Challenges in Diagnosing and Treating My TMJ With Hypermobile EDS

Diagnosing and treating my TMJ with Hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is quite a challenge! You’d think it’d be easy since I can twist into a pretzel–seriously, I can. But even though my body is so flexible, my jaw isn’t. Every time I try to talk about it (which I love to do), it just locks up. And because EDS affects the connective tissues in the jaw, that’s double troublesome. Basically, between being tongue-tied and medically locked, tackling my TMJ has been… intense. Ah, how ironic that dealing with a locked jaw has left me at a loss for words!

Managing Stress to Manage My EDS, Anxiety & TMJ Symptoms

Struggling to take care of everyone around me and not being able to prioritize myself almost killed me! From stress-induced TMJ to fatigue due to stress, it felt like I was at my breaking point. After my husband passed away four years ago, I knew something had to change. I started putting stress management techniques into action and soon found that taking care of myself helped me become better equipped to take care of everyone else! Who knew taking care of yourself would help you take care of others? Well, now I know – stress management is essential for high-stress situations! I still can’t do meditation though…yuck…I just can’t get my brain to shut up long enough for that!

Stories from Others: What They Did After Asking “Can Anxiety Cause TMJ?”

Amy and TMJ Surgery

My friend Heather was sure to give us something to laugh about – not intentionally of course! You see, she had a severe underbite – no mouthguard was going to save her! After months of searching for a remedy, the only solution was TMJ surgery. Thankfully, everything worked out in the end, but I’ll never forget the jokes we made about how Heather’s severe teeth problems were beyond what other teens were worried about as far as straight teeth and a pretty smile!

Jay and Acupuncture

Jay deals with a serious case of anxiety and TMJ where involuntary muscle movements and extreme stress and chronic pain plague him. He even goes as far as to get acupuncture to help alleviate the pain he feels from this dual affliction! It’s truly one of the best ways Jay can manage his ongoing condition, but there are surely more creative ways for him to cope which could also prove beneficial – try some deep breathing exercises, maybe? Jay’s like me, so don’t hold your breath! HA! Regardless, I wish Jay the best of luck on his journey and hope that he continues getting relief.

Kate and an Oral Appliance

Kate had had enough. Her quality of life was terrible with chronic TMJ, so she decided to take action. She went to a dental specialist and he asked her my question: “can anxiety cause TMJ”? She shrugged her shoulders and got fitted for a special oral appliance – yep, like the one in your favorite spy movie! On top of that, she also goes to physical therapy twice per week to learn good posture and does range of motion exercises at home too. So if you’re missing quality in your life from TMJ, we suggest following Kate’s footsteps – it could really turn things around for ya! That reminds me, I have to get my retainer replaced…I broke it. You aren’t supposed to step on them. Oops.

Lisa and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Lisa was a real panic attack-prone gal. Her panic attacks were becoming increasingly more frequent and intense, and she didn’t know what to do. Her healthcare provider suggested Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and biofeedback for her TMJ, so Lisa decided “Why not? What have I got to lose?” 

With the help of therapy and learning to recognize the connection between her body’s physical sensations, thoughts, and emotions, Lisa soon found herself in control of her panic attacks instead of the other way around. Biofeedback used during CBT gave Lisa a feedback loop that had previously been missing – one connecting her mind and body ensuring she knew when her panic attacks were coming long before they did. Thanks to this newfound realization, Lisa finally has a handle on her panic attacks.

Craig and Cosmetic Dentistry

Craig, like many of us, had TMJ and was searching for the best TMJ treatment options. After doing his research, he stumbled upon something unexpected – cosmetic dentistry! He was skeptical at first and thought to himself “What exactly is that anyway?” (after the “can anxiety cause TMJ” question). Craig decided to give it a try and the results were truly incredible. Thanks to cosmetic dentistry, he no longer experiences TMJ-related issues. It’s funny to think that this comedian needed treatment as serious as cosmetic dentistry before being able to laugh without having TMJ flare-ups!

What is Cosmetic Dentistry, Anyway?

Ever wished you could fix that crooked tooth and get straight pearly whites? Well, cosmetic dentistry can help with that plus much more! Orthodontists are one type of cosmetic dentist. From whitening and reshaping teeth to smile designing or even fixing TMJ—cosmetic dentistry is the way to go. Through realignments, replacements, or surgery they aim to reduce your jaw pain by getting your bites in alignment. Now that’s something to smile about!

Other Treatments For TMJ

Forward Head Posture and Anxiety (Posture Correction Therapy)

If you have ever had your neck or shoulder muscles feel tight and sore, then you may have experienced the effects of forward head posture. Posture has a big impact on our overall health, but it can also have an impact on our mental health too. Poor posture causes tension in the neck and shoulder muscles which can lead to anxiety, ill effects such as headaches, and can even worsen temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain. Instead of hunching your shoulders up to your ears why not try going through some stretches to iron out any kinks? Spending just 10 minutes daily engaging in appropriate exercises could dramatically improve your posture, reduce TMJ symptoms and make life a bit more bearable! So chin up…pun intended!

Sleep Hypnosis for Jaw Relaxation & Teeth Grinding (Bruxism / TMJ / TMD)

Wanna reduce your anxiety and TMJ? Get yourself some sleep hypnosis! It’s like a magical spell, except it’s actually backed by science. Sleep hypnosis helps train the brain to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and TMJ while you get some much-needed shut-eye. Instead of tossing and turning in bed, it’ll be like taking a deep dive down the rabbit hole – but without any frightening teapots or badgers. So why not give it a try and let sleep hypnosis help lighten up your worries and sore jaw? Say goodbye to sleepless nights and hello to snuggles with your pillow!

Tips for Managing Stress to Prevent or Reduce Symptoms of TMJ

Who knew relieving stress could make your jaw feel better? Well, it’s true! It’s been said that controlling your level of stress can help prevent or reduce symptoms of TMJ. Here are seven easy tips to manage stress and get rid of that annoying jaw pain that can get you back to smiling in no time.

• Get into habits to relax muscles and stop jaw clenching – I have taught myself to stick the tip of my tongue between my front teeth and it works!
• Eliminate (or at least decrease) caffeine because it causes jaw muscles to tighten. The same goes for any ADHD medications you may be on…yeah, I know. Trust me!
• Stay active! Whether it’s jogging, yoga, or hitting up the dance floor–just move.
• Write down anything and everything that worries you. It is incredibly cathartic for myofascial pain. I offer free chronic pain journal prompts in 31 Amazing Items for Your Chronic Pain Toolbox.
• Optimize your sleep routine – make sure you get enough restful snoozing.
• Eat softer foods, to give your jaw muscles a break. Snack on healthy goodies like yogurt, and fresh fruit for extra mental energy too.
• Meditation! I know, I know, because I haven’t quite figured it out yet either…
• Stay connected with supportive friends and family can help you stay balanced when life gets hectic.

So who said managing stress had to be a chore? Can you learn to do these things? Can anxiety cause TMJ? Yes and yes!

Relax your tight jaw in only 2 minutes!

Resources for Learning More about TMJ and Anxiety Disorders

Understanding TMJ and how anxiety disorders can cause it can be a tough journey, but thankfully there are some great resources available to help you every step of the way! For example, if you’re looking for info on TMJ:

• TMJ Association is a great place to start.
• If you want to educate yourself on the different treatments and therapies that are available, TMJ Treatment is the site for you.
• Food allergies can also be tied with specific issues around the jaw so check out Food Allergy Research & Education for more insight on this topic too.

When it comes to learning more about anxiety disorders and if anxiety can cause TMJ, it’s important to realize that no two people have the exact same experiences with anxiety as everyone’s situation is unique. But there are excellent websites such as:

• Anxiety and Depression Association of America will provide loads of helpful information and tips on managing your mental health during these times.
• If you prefer a more scientific approach, the National Institute of Mental Health provides evidence-based findings that can aid in your understanding of these disorders as well!
• The National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) provides a wide range of resources that can be used to gain insight into anxiety and chronic stress, including articles on the topic of mental health, research publications, and data sets. Additionally, the NCBI has an online library system that includes books, journals, and other materials related to studies.

Don’t let TMJ or anxiety take control – seek help today and get crackin’ (ha, ha) with these awesome resources.

Final Thoughts on Can Anxiety Cause TMJ

So, can anxiety cause TMJ? Yes, and as I’m thinking about anxiety and TMJ, I’m reminded of the inspiring stories shared by Josie, Amy, Jay, Kate, Lisa, and Craig. They each took different paths to deal with this unique combination of physical/mental issues. While it wasn’t as simple as repeating a single solution for everyone, these five amazing individuals demonstrated that anybody can find ways to manage the stress associated with both anxiety and TMJ. Given their dedication and what I’ve learned from them, my closing thought is just one word: determination. It goes to show that if you’re determined enough you can overcome anything!

#StoryofLori