Allan I. Abolafia, D.D.S. Allen W. Ackerman, D.D.S.
1300 Ulster Avenue   ·   Kingston, NY 12401   ·   845-336-5252
  THE TOOTH TRIBUNE  

Stress Reducing Jaw Exercise & TMJ

The tensions and stress of daily living often “settle into your jaw.” If you are experiencing pain, consult with your dentist. If it’s determined that you do not have a chronic problem which needs medical attention, this simple exercise may be “just what the doctor ordered.”

  1. Sit comfortably in a chair.
  2. Gently, put your face and jaws into your hands, resting your finger tips over the joints of your jaw.
  3. Keep lips together and teeth apart.
  4. Take a deep breath. As you do so “tell yourself” that your jaws are relaxing. Think the words and “hear” them in your head.
  5. Exhale slowly and again “tell yourself” that your jaws are relaxing. Think the words and “hear” them in your head.
  6. Repeat inhaling and exhaling as you visualize your face relaxing, completely.
  7. Repeat the exercise for several minutes throughout the day or at any time when you begin to feel particularly stressed or tense.
Consider this exercise the gift you give yourself at difficult moments in your life and it can potentially may keep you from developing more severe symptoms.

We urge you to be mindful. Any combination of the following symptoms may be a warning sign that you are suffering from TMJ, Temporo-Mandibular Joint dysfunction. If you have ear pain, sore jaw muscles, temple/cheek pain, jaw popping/clicking, locking of the jaw, difficulty in opening your mouth fully, frequent head and/or neck aches, it’s time to see your dentist or physician.

Articles Index
Table of Contents