Grinding & TMD: Unforeseen Triggers That Sets Off Symptoms

A temporomandibular disorder, or TMD for short, is not an issue to be taken lightly. The symptoms, orofacial pain and inflammation that is associated with TMD originates as a result of several psychological or physical factors.

Individuals with TMD grind their set of teeth, and even though it is linked, grinding of teeth is not even the primary challenge. What makes TMD an even more severe ailment which calls for drastic measures is the mystifying triggers that come into play which does not only intensify the symptoms but also increases teeth grinding, thus worsening the condition.

Many individuals with TMD are not aware of the fact that there exist several factors which, on the face of it, is not connected to the ailment but could be gradually increasing the amount of pain as well as wreaking more damage. It is crucial for you to be aware of these startling TMD nuisances:

How blaring noises can trigger teeth grinding and worsen TMD?

Lots of people, as they go about their daily activities, end up getting exposed to loud noises each and every day. The noises could be emanating from a lawn mower or at the factory where you are employed. It could be noise from a loud concert or even from a leaf blower. Whatever the case may be, loud or harsh sounds are not only damaging to the ear but are the primary origin of the problem when it comes to the intensification of headaches, and this is a frequent symptom that is associated with TMD. Loud noises also trigger off tension, either in the jaw, neck or the body and this is most times, the causal agent of TMD.

How does cold weather or cold drinks accelerate the orofacial pain?

There is a common phenomenon that occurs especially during cold weather. At subzero temperatures, lots of people have discovered that their orofacial pain, pain in the ear or jaw as well as tautness of the jaw becomes aggravated uncontrollably. This is not an accident or coincidence; the cold weather has the capacity intensify orofacial pain and can also make muscles to become tense. Furthermore, flu and colds are naturally prevalent during winter, and these ailments also play a role in headaches, nasal congestion and general body aches, thus aggravating existing symptoms of TMD.

There is seemingly nothing wrong with sipping an ice-cold drink or two, but if you suffer from TMD, then you should consider scaling back a bit on the icy beverages. When you consume cold drinks or frozen foods, the pain in your jaw could end up becoming intensified, which could lead to your muscles becoming tense. You should avoid such a scenario at all cost. Therefore, drink tepid water instead, and if you find it intolerable, then consider drinking cold water, but without adding ice cubes to it. You can also add some refreshing flavor and some additional nutrients by adding a dash or two of fresh fruits to the water.

How does coffee or alcohol relate to TMD symptoms?

Alcohol promotes anxiety in the body, and this is traceable to lack of quality sleep, frequent waking during the night which contributes to sleepiness in the daytime. When the body is tense as a result of consumption of alcohol, it could lead to additional grinding of the mandibles. Furthermore, when you consume alcohol, you will experience increased urine output which in turn, starves your muscles (together with your jaw) of hydration.

TMD Treatment with Medicine and side effects

Several side effects are associated with the treatment of TMD using medications. Some individuals have reportedly discovered that they inadvertently start grinding their teeth when they begin to use medication, or could worsen the case of TMD that they are battling with, but may not realize that it is the resultant effect of the drug they are using.