Is There a Link Between Jaw Pain and Poor Posture?

Whether you work from home or in an office, the way you sit and/or stand can have a negative impact on your neck, shoulders, and surprisingly, your jaw. When discomfort occurs throughout the temporomandibular joints, you might assume that it’s because you bit down on something hard or just overextended it when yawning. But can jaw pain be the result of poor posture? A sleep dentist is here to provide the answer and explain what you can do to get relief.

What Does Poor Posture Have to Do with Jaw Pain?

Nowadays, with more people working from home than ever before, the reality of poor posture is affecting millions of individuals. Working on couches, beds, and even kitchen tables is causing backs to bend, shoulders to hunch, and jaws to tighten.

You may not realize it, but your posture has a lot to do with the alignment of your jaw joints. Whether it is sitting or standing, how you hold your shoulders, back, and neck can make a big difference in how your mouth relaxes. If you regularly practice poor posture, you’ll be left with a jaw that pops, clicks, and even locks.

What Can You Do to Improve Posture?

There are many tips you can consider when attempting to improve the way your body remains in alignment. Some that you might try include:

• Bringing your computer up to eye level, as this will keep you from bending your neck downward
• Getting up to walk every hour, even for just a few minutes
• Using a pillow or some form of lumbar support for your back and/or sitting against the back of your chair
• Avoiding the bed or couch when doing work on your computer
• Practicing pulling back your shoulders so that they are in better alignment with your neck and spine
• Stretching for a few minutes to help keep muscles from tightening throughout the day

Can a Dentist Help with Jaw Joint Pain?

Yes, anytime you are experiencing pain throughout your jaw, it is best to call and schedule an appointment with a qualified professional. Undergoing a thorough examination of your oral and facial structures, you’ll discover whether the alignment of your bite is off and what can be done to combat the problem.

Fortunately, different methods and techniques can be used. Apart from jaw joint stretches that help to deliver movement while working to loosen the joint, many dentists will also recommend a customized occlusal splint if the pain is severe enough.

These are tailor-made to your mouth so that it fits properly, feels comfortable, and works to alleviate the symptoms caused by temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD).

It’s also possible that a dentist will recommend physical therapy, BOTOX injections, or even surgery depending on the severity of the issue.

If you want to do something about the stiffness throughout your neck, back, and jaw, start taking steps to improve your posture. Before you know it, you’ll notice a difference in the way these areas feel, allowing you to move through life without pain.

About the Author
As a board-certified nurse practitioner, general dentist, and dental sleep medicine practitioner, Dr. Shelley Shults aims to help patients avoid serious jaw pain. Recognizing the changing environments of many professionals, the occurrence of TMD is causing many patients to seek help for pain. If you, too, are facing stiff muscles and jaw joints, contact us at (614) 396-9310 to find out how we can help.