On topic with Dr. Dill:

Can stress cause a TMJ disorder?

Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located on the sides of your jaw and connect your lower jawbone to your skull. These complex joints help you open and close your mouth so you can talk, chew, yawn and more – which is why TMJ disorders can create several problems for your oral and overall health.

TMJ disorders are related to:

• Headaches
• Jaw clicking or popping
• Neck pain or soreness
• Bruxism (tooth grinding)
• Earaches
• Tinnitus (a persistent ringing sound)

Around 5-12% of people experience a TMJ disorder. They can be caused by a number of issues that are often associated with high levels of stress.

It can be hard to know where stress ends and TMJ disorder begins because one can cause the other.

Stress can cause headaches and autoimmune issues, which raises your risk for minor and major illnesses. When you feel stressed, your body releases a hormone called cortisol. High levels of cortisol can cause high blood pressure. Feelings of stress can also cause you to clench or tense your jaw, which can put extra pressure on the joints or pull them out of place and potentially cause a TMJ disorder. Clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth can also damage your tooth enamel or crack the tooth itself.

Alternatively, a TMJ disorder can create stress by disrupting your sleep, distracting your focus while you’re awake and causing persistent discomfort when you try to eat or talk.

The cause of a TMJ disorder is often unclear. Besides stress, they can also result from:

• Damage from a collision or other head trauma
• Eroded joint cartilage because of arthritis
• Malocclusion, which is when teeth are misaligned and don’t fit together properly

If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed, it’s important to try and reduce your stress level. There are many ways to do this – exercise, meditation, yoga, reading, laughing with friends, improving your daily nutrition and more. Keep looking until you find the right balance for you.

Some TMJ disorders go away in a matter of days or weeks, while others can last several months or years. The problem may go away on its own or a TMJ disorder may require a visit to your dentist or physician. If you have persistent headaches, jaw pain or other symptoms of a TMJ disorder, get treatment advice from a medical professional.

Your oral and emotional health contribute to your overall health – the relationship between TMJ disorders and stress is just one example of this. Take care of yourself to take care of your smile.