Temporomandibular joint disorder, also known as TMJ, is a trying condition that afflicts millions of Americans, who are forced to cope with headaches, chewing problems, jaw popping and chronic pain. In search of relief, many people are willing to try all sorts of unproven remedies, such as acupuncture, herbs, special pillows and more. According to a recent study, however, certain people may be able to reduce their pain by simply doing away with one particularly bad habit.
Another Reason to Quit Smoking
A study out of the University of Kentucky suggests that smoking worsens chronic pain. To reach their findings, researchers polled over 6,000 female subjects, asking them questions related to chronic pain symptoms and their smoking habits. Ultimately, they found a link between heavy smoking and increased pain. This held true for a variety of conditions, including nerve problems, chronic head pain, joint pain, chronic back pain, chronic neck pain, sciatica and fibromyalgia.
What if You Have TMJ Disorder
Smoking impacts our bodies in a variety of negative ways. Because of this, it’s reasonable to assume that it could worsen temporomandibular joint disorder. With that being said, don’t expect to enjoy substantial TMD relief just because you quit smoking.
Most of the time, TMD sufferers continue to endure unpleasant symptoms until they receive a targeted treatment which corrects the root cause of the condition: a misaligned bite. While you may be able to slightly improve your TMD symptoms by adopting better lifestyle habits; you’ll continue to experience symptoms until you receive a treatment that corrects this fundamental problem.
Reach Out for Help
By providing a smart, targeted treatment strategy, our dentists at Beyond Exceptional Dentistry in Savannah are able offer patients better lives, free from every symptom of temporomandibular joint disorder, from headaches to tinnitus to jaw pain and more. To learn how you can enjoy permanent TMD relief, please call (912) 234-8282 today for an appointment.
