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What is TMJ and Why Does it Hurt During Pregnancy?
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is located just in front of your ears. You can feel it move if you place your fingers there and open your mouth.When this joint or the surrounding muscles, ligaments, or nerves don’t function properly, it’s called a temporomandibular disorder (TMD). This can lead to jaw pain, stiffness, or other uncomfortable symptoms.
These are the ways pregnancy can trigger or intensify TMJ issues:
- Hormonal changes: Hormones like relaxin, oestrogen, and progesterone increase during pregnancy to prepare your body for childbirth. Relaxin can loosen the ligaments in your jaw, making your TMJ unstable and sometimes causing pain or even dislocation. Oestrogen and progesterone can also cause inflammation in the jaw area.
- Swelling (oedema): During pregnancy, some people notice swelling in the face and neck. This puts extra pressure on the TMJ and causes pain or soreness.
- Morning sickness: If you feel sick and vomit a lot in early pregnancy, it can put stress on your jaw, neck, and shoulders. The forward motion of your jaw while throwing up can cause TMJ pain.
- Stress and teeth clenching: Pregnancy stress may lead to clenching or grinding your teeth (bruxism). This puts extra strain on your jaw.
- Sleep disruptions: Struggling to find a comfortable sleeping position or dealing with sleep apnoea can lead to jaw clenching at night. Due to this, your jaw muscles may feel stiff and painful in the morning.
- Posture changes: Poor posture can also strain your neck and jaw muscles.
Symptoms of Jaw Pain During Pregnancy
Common TMJ symptoms include:- The jaw might click, pop, or lock as you move it to open or close your mouth.
- Pain in the jaw, face, or neck, which might feel like a dull ache or sharp discomfort.
- Difficulty chewing or discomfort while eating.
- Headaches, sometimes caused by jaw tension, can spread to other areas.
- Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) can be linked to jaw muscle strain.
- Stiffness in the jaw muscles makes it hard to move your jaw freely.
- Jaw locking, which happens when your jaw becomes stuck in an open or closed position.
Safe Ways to Manage Jaw Pain During Pregnancy
These are some practical remedies you can try:1. Home Remedies
- Warm or cold compresses: Use a warm compress to ease tight jaw muscles, or a cold pack to help with swelling and inflammation.
- Gentle jaw massage: Lightly massage the muscles around your jaw to relieve tension.
- Stay hydrated: Drinking plenty of water helps reduce inflammation throughout your body, including in your jaw.
- Relaxation techniques: Stress can worsen TMJ pain, so try deep breathing, meditation, or prenatal yoga to calm your mind and body.
2. Exercises to Strengthen and Relax the Jaw
- Jaw stretches: Gently open and close your mouth to stretch and relax the jaw muscles. Do this for a few seconds at a time, repeating 5 to 10 times.
- Resisted jaw opening: Put your hand under your chin and gently push against it while trying to open your mouth.
- Chin tucks: Gently tuck your chin toward your chest to improve neck alignment and ease jaw strain. Hold for a few seconds and repeat 5 to 10 times.
- Tongue stretch: Press your tongue against the roof of your mouth and hold briefly before relaxing.
3. Lifestyle Changes
- Improve posture: Sit and stand with your shoulders back and head aligned to avoid straining your neck and jaw. Avoid holding your phone between your shoulder and ear.
- Avoid hard foods: Tough foods such as gum or hard toffees can strain the jaw, so it’s best to avoid them.
- Get enough rest: Prioritise sleep to reduce stress and muscle tension.
- Eat a balanced diet: Make sure you’re getting enough calcium and other nutrients to support muscle health.
4. Medical and Professional Support
- Medications: Your doctor might recommend pregnancy-safe pain relief medication.
- Physical therapy: A physical therapist can teach you specific exercises to relax and strengthen your jaw muscles.
- Chiropractic care: Neck or jaw adjustments can help fix misalignments that cause TMJ pain. Look for a chiropractor experienced in pregnancy care.
- Oral appliances: A custom-made mouthguard can help control teeth grinding at night.
How to Manage Jaw Pain for Daily Comfort
Managing TMJ pain is about making your day-to-day life easier. Use a pillow that keeps your neck and head supported to ease jaw strain while you sleep. You should also try to avoid excessive yawning, shouting, or singing loudly, as these can tire your jaw.When to Seek Help
Your TMJ pain might resolve on its own if it's mild and doesn’t disrupt your daily life. However, you should contact your doctor or dentist if:- The pain is severe or persistent.
- Your jaw locks frequently, or you can’t open or close your mouth comfortably.
- You notice sudden swelling in your face or neck, which could signal a more serious issue like high blood pressure.
Jaw pain during pregnancy is pretty common, but there are simple ways to manage it. Hormones, stress, and daily habits can leave your jaw feeling stiff or sore. So try to pay extra attention to your posture, avoid strain on your jaw, and use a supportive pillow while sleeping. These little changes can really help.
Whether you’re pregnant, a new mom, or navigating postpartum, you don’t have to do it alone. Join our support group to connect, share, and support one another.
FAQs on Dealing with Jaw Pain in Pregnancy: Tips That Actually Help
- Why do I get jaw pain during pregnancy?
Jaw pain during pregnancy often happens because of hormonal changes that loosen joints and ligaments. Stress, teeth grinding, and changes in posture can also add to the discomfort. - What helps jaw pain during pregnancy?
Gentle jaw stretches, applying a warm or cold compress, and practising relaxation techniques can ease the pain.
