A recent article in the news magazine Philly Voice shed light on a subject that may come as very little surprise to many of Dr. Lederman’s patients. Temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ disorder, is becoming increasingly common - especially among a certain subset of the population.
The article claims that millennials – those born roughly between the years 1981 and 1996 – are coming in to local dental offices in droves complaining of temporomandibular joint disorder symptoms ranging from jaw pain and stiffness to jaw clicking and popping, headaches, neckaches, backaches, tension, teeth grinding (bruxism), and more.
But what could be causing this new wave of temporomandibular joint disorder in this age demographic? The article’s theory? Stress.
Millennials, like most of us, lead high-stress lives. From work obligations to family obligations to outside stressors that affect us all, it's easy to let the tension we experience during the day get to us and take a physical toll. Stress can disrupt sleep and cause fatigue and moodiness throughout the day. This can manifest itself as muscular tension or even teeth grinding, all of which can put pressure on the temporomandibular joint.
So what is a millennial (or anyone else, for that matter) to do to alleviate this stress and reduce tension? Here are a few tips.
Meditation
Meditation or relaxation exercises are a great way to reduce stress. Yoga, deep breathing or even getting up from your desk for a walk around the building to clear your head can make a big impact on lowering the blood pressure and reducing tension in the body
Mouth Guards
Do you catch yourself grinding your teeth? It may be time to speak to Dr. Lederman about getting a custom bite guard. This small, nearly invisible custom orthotic prevents the teeth from touching and can withstand the pressure of jaw clenching. It can also help relieve soreness and prevent the teeth from chipping or cracking from the pressure of grinding.
Neuromuscular Dentistry
A step beyond just a mouth guard, neuromuscular dentistry treats temporomandibular joint disorder by realigning the temporomandibular joint. Treatment depends on the individual patient, but it can eliminate the TMJ disorder problem so that when times of high stress occur, it’s one less thing to worry about.
Want to learn more about treatment for TMJ disorder? Make an appointment with Dr. Gary Lederman today by calling 516-882-1764.