One cannot help but wonder why women are twice, even three times, as likely as men to develop TMJ Disorder. This is a statistic that is generally glibly passed over with explanations that have virtually no valid scientific basis, such as “women’s jaws deteriorate from the age of 30 on.” If that’s so, then WHY?
What is it about the composition or structure of a woman’s mouth/jaw that predisposes her to this disorder? Besides being structurally smaller, there’s no other feature that differs so much from a man’s jaw/mouth as to contribute or cause this problem.
There are too many unanswered questions.
• Statistically, women do seek dental care more frequently and regularly than men. Is it possible that repeated jaw extensions cause damage?
• Is it hormonally driven?
• Could jaw irregularity be an early indicator of osteoporosis?
• How often does TMJ Disorder precede arthritis of the jaw?
• Is there a genetic connection?
• Is the stess that women nowadays must deal with just proving to be too much what with juggling jobs, kids, households and often caring for aging parents all at the same time?
• What about stressors that are beyond our control, such as long term exposure to VLF and ELF electromagnetic fields, or exposure to environmental toxins?
Until scientists can explain WHY women suffer from this malady far more than men, I think the remedy for TMJ Disorder for all may elude us. But will the largely male population of scientists give this problem the attention it requires?
Perhaps the answer is as simple as Weston A. Price proposed 70 years ago in “Nutrition and Physical Degeneration.” Perhaps our modern diet and addiction to refined white flours and sugar is ultimately the culprit. What do we do now if our dental arches are already malformed?
I know a simple, nutritious, softer diet helped me. Maybe it can help you too.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
TMJ Disorder May Be Inevitable
It's possible that TMJ Disorder may be an inevitable outcome from our modernized diet consisting of so much white flour and sugar. Weston Price, DDS, warned of this over 70 years ago, yet we continue down the path of dietary suicide.
Studies Show Facial and Dental Changes
In his landmark text, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Price discusses the change in native people's dental arches, dental health and facial changes at great length. No matter if the people studied were from remote Swiss villages or from South Sea Islands, all people who adhered to their native diets were almost 100% cavity free, but those who came under the influence of the modern commodities of white flour and sugar quickly succumbed to runaway dental caries, and within one generation showed marked changes in dental and facial formation.
More than a Generation from Health
Despite Price's highly detailed studies, most modern medical practitioners continue to blithely ignore the tremendous amount of information that Price offered through his careful analysis of diet on dental caries and general health. At this stage, most people who suffer from TMJ Disorder are well beyond the one generational change that occurred with the advent of white flour and sugar.
Diet and TMJ Disorder
It may be a distinct possibility that many cases of TMJ Disorder are inevitable given the malformation of dental arches from several generations of eating a diet based on white flour and sugar. This may seem like a hopeless situation for those with TMJ Disorder if this is indeed the case. Don't go and rage against your parents for their poor dietary choices, however. Most people are completely unaware that our modern diet is greatly lacking in nourishment and overladen with additives and other chemical components.
Salvage What You Can
While you may have TMJ Disorder, most sufferers can do some things to help turn their lives and their disorder around. First, be informed about what you are eating. Personally, I try very hard not to eat anything that has ingredients listed that I can't pronounce, or has three letter abbreviations in the ingredients. That eliminates all processed foods, including store bought bread! Secondly, try to buy organic. You're worth the extra price! Third, concentrate on eating "easy-to-chew" nutritious foods. You can find recipes designed for TMJ sufferers in "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes."
Depend on Yourself
Ultimately you'll need to depend on yourself. No one is going to save you with irreversible jaw procedures. Salvage what you can of your life and your jaws. Eat healthfully. Eat a soft, nutritious diet. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and drugs, even over-the-counter ones as much as possible. If you are of child bearing age, you may want to consider eliminating white flour products and sugar from your diet to help protect your unborn.
Studies Show Facial and Dental Changes
In his landmark text, Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, Price discusses the change in native people's dental arches, dental health and facial changes at great length. No matter if the people studied were from remote Swiss villages or from South Sea Islands, all people who adhered to their native diets were almost 100% cavity free, but those who came under the influence of the modern commodities of white flour and sugar quickly succumbed to runaway dental caries, and within one generation showed marked changes in dental and facial formation.
More than a Generation from Health
Despite Price's highly detailed studies, most modern medical practitioners continue to blithely ignore the tremendous amount of information that Price offered through his careful analysis of diet on dental caries and general health. At this stage, most people who suffer from TMJ Disorder are well beyond the one generational change that occurred with the advent of white flour and sugar.
Diet and TMJ Disorder
It may be a distinct possibility that many cases of TMJ Disorder are inevitable given the malformation of dental arches from several generations of eating a diet based on white flour and sugar. This may seem like a hopeless situation for those with TMJ Disorder if this is indeed the case. Don't go and rage against your parents for their poor dietary choices, however. Most people are completely unaware that our modern diet is greatly lacking in nourishment and overladen with additives and other chemical components.
Salvage What You Can
While you may have TMJ Disorder, most sufferers can do some things to help turn their lives and their disorder around. First, be informed about what you are eating. Personally, I try very hard not to eat anything that has ingredients listed that I can't pronounce, or has three letter abbreviations in the ingredients. That eliminates all processed foods, including store bought bread! Secondly, try to buy organic. You're worth the extra price! Third, concentrate on eating "easy-to-chew" nutritious foods. You can find recipes designed for TMJ sufferers in "You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes."
Depend on Yourself
Ultimately you'll need to depend on yourself. No one is going to save you with irreversible jaw procedures. Salvage what you can of your life and your jaws. Eat healthfully. Eat a soft, nutritious diet. Avoid excess alcohol, caffeine and drugs, even over-the-counter ones as much as possible. If you are of child bearing age, you may want to consider eliminating white flour products and sugar from your diet to help protect your unborn.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
TMJ Disorder and Alcohol
At the risk of raining on anyone's parade or being a party-pooper, I have to raise the fact that, if you are a drinker - even a light drinker, there is a strong possibility that your TMJ problems may stem from, or be increased by, alcohol use. And not just alcohol use, even caffeine and nicotine can exacerbate your grinding and clenching problems.
Alcohol's Effect on TMJ Disorder
There is a great deal of speculation that alcohol affects one's tendency to grind and clench because, in general, alcohol interferes with one's sleep patterns. Regardless of how deeply you think you are sleeping after imbibing, studies indicate that alcohol only acts as a sedative in the early hours of sleep. Later, in the sleep cycle, sleep can be disturbed.
Anyone who has tippled before bed knows that they often feel fatigued upon awakening, despite how many hours they may have "slept." This is because the deep cycles of sleep are shortened - or missed altogether - when one drinks in the hours before bed.
Numerous studies indicate that grinding intensifies and that people clench more after alcohol consumption.
Nicotine and Caffeine
Smokers, soda drinkers and coffee drinkers also have a tendency to clench and grind more than their non-smoking, drinking counterparts. Nicotine and caffeine act as stimulants to the nervous system. Over stimulation during the day may give one a sense of energy and alertness, sometimes even anxiety. Indeed, often one's blood pressure surges with even these mild stimulants. When one is sleeping, however, this excess nervous energy may be released in undesirable ways...such as clenching and grinding. Sleep itself may be disturbed and agitated, with deep cycles being shortened. This in turn contributes to clenching and grinding.
Other Drug Effects
Drugs, prescription and otherwise, can affect people in unanticipated ways. For example, prescription drugs for depression can cause clenching/grinding, as can over-the-counter products that treat cold symptoms. Read labels carefully. If the product raises blood pressure, causes dizziness, nervousness, sleeplessness etc. as a side effect, it may well contribute to nocturnal clenching and grinding.
Be kind to yourself. Skip the vino and after dinner coffee and cigarette and instead take a walk, focus on your breathing while walking and have a small glass of (ice) water when finished.
For more information regarding TMJ Disorder, check out You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes and/or One Pot Galley Gourmet for a plethora of easy-to-cook, eash-to-chew, nutritious, delicious recipes.
Alcohol's Effect on TMJ Disorder
There is a great deal of speculation that alcohol affects one's tendency to grind and clench because, in general, alcohol interferes with one's sleep patterns. Regardless of how deeply you think you are sleeping after imbibing, studies indicate that alcohol only acts as a sedative in the early hours of sleep. Later, in the sleep cycle, sleep can be disturbed.
Anyone who has tippled before bed knows that they often feel fatigued upon awakening, despite how many hours they may have "slept." This is because the deep cycles of sleep are shortened - or missed altogether - when one drinks in the hours before bed.
Numerous studies indicate that grinding intensifies and that people clench more after alcohol consumption.
Nicotine and Caffeine
Smokers, soda drinkers and coffee drinkers also have a tendency to clench and grind more than their non-smoking, drinking counterparts. Nicotine and caffeine act as stimulants to the nervous system. Over stimulation during the day may give one a sense of energy and alertness, sometimes even anxiety. Indeed, often one's blood pressure surges with even these mild stimulants. When one is sleeping, however, this excess nervous energy may be released in undesirable ways...such as clenching and grinding. Sleep itself may be disturbed and agitated, with deep cycles being shortened. This in turn contributes to clenching and grinding.
Other Drug Effects
Drugs, prescription and otherwise, can affect people in unanticipated ways. For example, prescription drugs for depression can cause clenching/grinding, as can over-the-counter products that treat cold symptoms. Read labels carefully. If the product raises blood pressure, causes dizziness, nervousness, sleeplessness etc. as a side effect, it may well contribute to nocturnal clenching and grinding.
Be kind to yourself. Skip the vino and after dinner coffee and cigarette and instead take a walk, focus on your breathing while walking and have a small glass of (ice) water when finished.
For more information regarding TMJ Disorder, check out You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes and/or One Pot Galley Gourmet for a plethora of easy-to-cook, eash-to-chew, nutritious, delicious recipes.
Friday, September 5, 2008
The Mysterious TMJ(D)
Mention “TMJ” to people, and almost to a person everyone either knows someone who has this disorder, or they have it themselves. Despite the millions of people who suffer from TMJD (Temporo Mandibular Jaw Disorder) there is mostly just educated speculation as to the possible causes of this disorder. Even less is certain about its cure.
Temporo Mandibular Joints
The temporo mandibular joints are small ball-and-socket hinge like structures on each side of your head that essentially connect your lower jaw to your skull. The lower jaw has rounded ends (condyles) that smoothly move in and out of this socket when one eats, speaks, yawns, etc. The surfaces of these bones are covered with cartilage, so bone is not grinding on bone, and the surfaces are also separated by a small disk which acts as a shock absorber. Sixty-eight pairs of muscles in your face and jaw area work to help stabilize this joint so that it moves smoothly to ensure speaking, swallowing, chewing, breathing, and even keeping your head on your shoulders! For the person with TMJD, however, any or all of these movements can become extremely painful as the condyles become dislocated or the cartilage excessively worn or overly stretched.
Categories of TMJ Disorder
Researches now divide the disorders of the temporomandibular joint into three categories: one is myofascial pain, and it is the most common. This pain is characterized by discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder muscles. Then there is of the internal derangement of the joint, which means the jaw is dislocated, the disc is displaced, or the condyle is injured. The last category is degenerative joint disease, such as arthritis in the jaw joint.
This much science knows, but the certainty seems to stop here.
Causes of TMJ Disorder
The causes of TMJD seem to be as variable as the people who have it. Actual numbers of people experiencing TMJ disorders fluctuate widely, ranging from five to fifteen percent of the population of the United States to more than thirty-five percent of people. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men…and no, excessive talking is not to blame, although talking can cause pain if one has this disorder!
Amazingly, many suffering from a TMJ ailment seem to know the exact cause of his/her disorder. Some develop this condition due to facial or head injuries because of blows to the head, jaw or face, or from whiplash A great many sufferers indicate that they developed TMJ pain after prolonged dental procedures. Could it be your bite? Maybe your spine is misaligned. Do you need orthotics in your shoes? Perhaps there is a genetic connection.
NIDCR is conducting a study to identify biological or genetic factors that may contribute to this disorder. Another recent study suggests there is a link to serotonin levels. While it would seem very reasonable to blame grinding and clenching of teeth for TMJD, ironically many people who grind and clench never experience TMJ pain. Arthritis can certainly be a cause, as can simply having tight jaw muscles due to stress.
Overuse of the jaw is another possible cause. Excessive gum chewing, nail biting and gnawing on items like plastic straws can overtax the muscles of this joint.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
You may be experiencing TMJ problems if your jaw clicks, pops, catches, or locks when you open your mouth, Frequent headaches, neck-aches and ear pain and ear infections are other indicators of TMJ joint disorder. When TMJ affects the ear, one may then experience dizziness, lightheadedness, ringing in the ears, and a fullness or pressure on the ear drum. (Perhaps you don’t need those antihistamines after all.)
Pain from the jaw can also radiate down your shoulders into your arms. Your teeth may not line up when you close your mouth, and you may not be able to open your mouth fully. In fact, the old song about the leg bone being connected to the hip bone, being connected to the back bone is an entirely appropriate analogy of TMJ pain. You may experience aches and pains throughout your body as your jaw struggles to align itself.
Treatment for TMJ Disorder
Fortunately, most people suffering from TMJ disorder will recover without medical intervention. Others will recover but will continue to have periodic bouts of the condition. Sadly, there are those for whom the pain of this disorder will become an indelible black mark on the fabric of their lives. Those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint may not experience total recovery either. Whether your case of TMJD is fleeting or permanent, experts agree that one of the most important things you can do is to ease the stress on the jaw joint, and this can be done through dietary changes. This does not mean one must subsist on oatmeal, soup, or pureed foods for six months to a year, and that is how long (or longer) it may take for your jaw to fully recover. It does mean, however, that a diet that is easy to chew will be most helpful for your condition.
Other possible courses of action for improvement involve physical therapy, chiropractic work, applying heat or ice packs, massage therapy, hypnotism, and avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, singing, gum chewing, screaming, etc.) Learning stress reduction techniques is another possible course of action, as well as short-term use of pain relievers.
Mouth guards are widely prescribed by many dentists, but one must remember that mouth guards are not a cure for TMJ disorder. Mouth guards will help prevent damage to one’s teeth if one is grinding and clenching excessively, especially at night. Mouth guards, however, do not address the fundamental issue of WHY one is clenching and grinding. For some people, wearing a foreign object in one’s mouth can cause an increase in clenching and grinding and resulting pain.
Be Cautious with Medical Treatment
Be cautious with this disorder. More medical treatment is not necessarily better. Some dental experts urge that TMJD treatment be conservative and reversible. “Conservative treatments do not invade the tissues of the face, jaw or joint. Reversible treatments do not cause permanent, or irreversible, changes in the structure or position of the jaw or teeth.” (ibid). Always seek a second opinion if you are advised to have orthodontics to change the bite, or crowns, bridge work or grinding the teeth down to balance the bite. “Scientists have learned that certain irreversible treatments, such as surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants, may cause severe pain and permanent jaw damage. Some of these devices may fail to function properly or may break apart in the jaw over time.” (ibid).
TMJ disorder can be an extremely painful condition that can affect every moment of your life, not just when you’re eating. Sleep can be disturbed, work can be compromised, activities are affected (whether they be sports, exercise, singing, or playing wind instruments) participation in group outings can be affected, and your dental health as well as your overall health and well being can suffer.
Remember the old expression, “patience is a virtue, possess it if you can...” Most of us are sadly lacking in this virtue and want a quick fix, but patience, time, a softer diet and stress management will go a long way in easing the pain of this disorder for the majority of people who suffer from it.
Try “Easy to Cook…Easy to Chew” meals from You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes, now available at Amazon.com or http://www.youcanconquertmj.com/.
Temporo Mandibular Joints
The temporo mandibular joints are small ball-and-socket hinge like structures on each side of your head that essentially connect your lower jaw to your skull. The lower jaw has rounded ends (condyles) that smoothly move in and out of this socket when one eats, speaks, yawns, etc. The surfaces of these bones are covered with cartilage, so bone is not grinding on bone, and the surfaces are also separated by a small disk which acts as a shock absorber. Sixty-eight pairs of muscles in your face and jaw area work to help stabilize this joint so that it moves smoothly to ensure speaking, swallowing, chewing, breathing, and even keeping your head on your shoulders! For the person with TMJD, however, any or all of these movements can become extremely painful as the condyles become dislocated or the cartilage excessively worn or overly stretched.
Categories of TMJ Disorder
Researches now divide the disorders of the temporomandibular joint into three categories: one is myofascial pain, and it is the most common. This pain is characterized by discomfort or pain in the muscles that control jaw function and the neck and shoulder muscles. Then there is of the internal derangement of the joint, which means the jaw is dislocated, the disc is displaced, or the condyle is injured. The last category is degenerative joint disease, such as arthritis in the jaw joint.
This much science knows, but the certainty seems to stop here.
Causes of TMJ Disorder
The causes of TMJD seem to be as variable as the people who have it. Actual numbers of people experiencing TMJ disorders fluctuate widely, ranging from five to fifteen percent of the population of the United States to more than thirty-five percent of people. Women are more likely to develop this condition than men…and no, excessive talking is not to blame, although talking can cause pain if one has this disorder!
Amazingly, many suffering from a TMJ ailment seem to know the exact cause of his/her disorder. Some develop this condition due to facial or head injuries because of blows to the head, jaw or face, or from whiplash A great many sufferers indicate that they developed TMJ pain after prolonged dental procedures. Could it be your bite? Maybe your spine is misaligned. Do you need orthotics in your shoes? Perhaps there is a genetic connection.
NIDCR is conducting a study to identify biological or genetic factors that may contribute to this disorder. Another recent study suggests there is a link to serotonin levels. While it would seem very reasonable to blame grinding and clenching of teeth for TMJD, ironically many people who grind and clench never experience TMJ pain. Arthritis can certainly be a cause, as can simply having tight jaw muscles due to stress.
Overuse of the jaw is another possible cause. Excessive gum chewing, nail biting and gnawing on items like plastic straws can overtax the muscles of this joint.
Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
You may be experiencing TMJ problems if your jaw clicks, pops, catches, or locks when you open your mouth, Frequent headaches, neck-aches and ear pain and ear infections are other indicators of TMJ joint disorder. When TMJ affects the ear, one may then experience dizziness, lightheadedness, ringing in the ears, and a fullness or pressure on the ear drum. (Perhaps you don’t need those antihistamines after all.)
Pain from the jaw can also radiate down your shoulders into your arms. Your teeth may not line up when you close your mouth, and you may not be able to open your mouth fully. In fact, the old song about the leg bone being connected to the hip bone, being connected to the back bone is an entirely appropriate analogy of TMJ pain. You may experience aches and pains throughout your body as your jaw struggles to align itself.
Treatment for TMJ Disorder
Fortunately, most people suffering from TMJ disorder will recover without medical intervention. Others will recover but will continue to have periodic bouts of the condition. Sadly, there are those for whom the pain of this disorder will become an indelible black mark on the fabric of their lives. Those with osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis in the jaw joint may not experience total recovery either. Whether your case of TMJD is fleeting or permanent, experts agree that one of the most important things you can do is to ease the stress on the jaw joint, and this can be done through dietary changes. This does not mean one must subsist on oatmeal, soup, or pureed foods for six months to a year, and that is how long (or longer) it may take for your jaw to fully recover. It does mean, however, that a diet that is easy to chew will be most helpful for your condition.
Other possible courses of action for improvement involve physical therapy, chiropractic work, applying heat or ice packs, massage therapy, hypnotism, and avoiding extreme jaw movements (such as wide yawning, singing, gum chewing, screaming, etc.) Learning stress reduction techniques is another possible course of action, as well as short-term use of pain relievers.
Mouth guards are widely prescribed by many dentists, but one must remember that mouth guards are not a cure for TMJ disorder. Mouth guards will help prevent damage to one’s teeth if one is grinding and clenching excessively, especially at night. Mouth guards, however, do not address the fundamental issue of WHY one is clenching and grinding. For some people, wearing a foreign object in one’s mouth can cause an increase in clenching and grinding and resulting pain.
Be Cautious with Medical Treatment
Be cautious with this disorder. More medical treatment is not necessarily better. Some dental experts urge that TMJD treatment be conservative and reversible. “Conservative treatments do not invade the tissues of the face, jaw or joint. Reversible treatments do not cause permanent, or irreversible, changes in the structure or position of the jaw or teeth.” (ibid). Always seek a second opinion if you are advised to have orthodontics to change the bite, or crowns, bridge work or grinding the teeth down to balance the bite. “Scientists have learned that certain irreversible treatments, such as surgical replacement of jaw joints with artificial implants, may cause severe pain and permanent jaw damage. Some of these devices may fail to function properly or may break apart in the jaw over time.” (ibid).
TMJ disorder can be an extremely painful condition that can affect every moment of your life, not just when you’re eating. Sleep can be disturbed, work can be compromised, activities are affected (whether they be sports, exercise, singing, or playing wind instruments) participation in group outings can be affected, and your dental health as well as your overall health and well being can suffer.
Remember the old expression, “patience is a virtue, possess it if you can...” Most of us are sadly lacking in this virtue and want a quick fix, but patience, time, a softer diet and stress management will go a long way in easing the pain of this disorder for the majority of people who suffer from it.
Try “Easy to Cook…Easy to Chew” meals from You Can Conquer TMJ: Ideas and Recipes, now available at Amazon.com or http://www.youcanconquertmj.com/.
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