17 Jul TMJ and Vagus Nerve: How They Connect and Affect Each Other
At TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, we provide expert care for jaw health and discomfort, with a significant focus on a common disorder called TMD. More commonly known as just “TMJ,” TMD involves dysfunctioning jaw joints—AKA the “temporomandibular joints” or “TMJs”—causing pain in a patient’s jaw, face, or both.
TMD symptoms can sometimes worsen as a manifestation of a seemingly disparate condition or imbalance in the body. If you suffer from TMJ pain/TMD, keep reading; we’ll explain how the vagus nerve might have a thing or two to do with it.
The TMJ and Vagus Nerve Connection
When you have TMD, one or both of your jaw joints (TMJs) do not function properly and can slip out of alignment. This causes pain by applying excess pressure or damaging facial and jaw nerves that connect to the brain stem.
Your vagus nerve connects to the brainstem, too, and spans between there and the end of your GI tract; it is central to the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS). As part of the PND, the vagus nerve has many responsibilities, facilitating critical involuntary bodily functions like respiration, digestion, and heart rate regulation.
With such widespread influence, vagus nerve dysfunction could cause your existing TMD pain to worsen, but it goes both ways. The TMD-characteristic jaw misalignment’s pressure on craniofacial and jaw nerves can manifest as symptoms of vagus nerve dysfunction, not just localized nerve pain. Even though the dysfunctional TMJ and vagus nerve connections are impactful, they are indirect and sometimes fly under the radar.
TMJ and Vagus Nerve Symptoms
Common symptoms of TMD (TMJ dysfunction or disorder) accompanying the facial and jaw pain include jaw tightness, trismus (lockjaw), tooth pain, neck pain, and noisy clicking sensations while chewing, talking, yawning, etc.
When you already have TMD and your vagus nerve is dysfunctional, you could experience the following:
Inflammation
The vagus nerve plays a significant role in reducing inflammation and regulating pain. When it dysfunctions (usually due to trauma, injury, infection, autoimmunity, diabetes, or stress), it can hinder its pain-reduction capabilities and make relieving TMD symptoms harder.
Increased Jaw Clenching
When the vagus nerve is out of routine, your body’s stress hormone (cortisol) production spikes. Increased cortisol levels can lead to jaw clenching, grinding, and other mouth movements that strain the TMJs.
Nervous System Dysregulation
Vagus nerve dysfunction can lead to disequilibrium in the autonomic nervous system, which increases stress and limits the ability to release tension. This lack of stress regulation creates instability in the jaw area, gastrointestinal issues, and can worsen symptoms of anxiety.
What You Can Do Next
Treatment And Management For Overlap Symptoms
Fortunately, many things can help you balance your vagus nerve and lessen your TMJ symptoms. Here are a few that you can do in the comfort of your own home:
- Practice mindfulness and listen to slow music to reduce stress.
- Avoid gum and other foods that are tough on the teeth and jaw.
- Stretch your neck to release built-up tension.
- Try an external vagus nerve stimulation device (we recommend this one).
Natural relief techniques work best when TMD patients simultaneously undergo targeted treatments provided by a certified TMJ specialist. Our experts offer many effective treatments to manage and reduce pain. Some of our trusted methods include physical therapy, nightguards, dry needling, red light therapy, oral surgery, and medication that relieves or regulates patients’ perception of pain.
Get the TMJ Relief You’ve Longed For
At TMJ & Sleep Solutions of Alabama, we provide comprehensive care to treat pain in the jaw joints (TMJs) and related symptoms, carefully considering their connection with other disorders that can impact them indirectly.
You don’t have to keep suffering from TMJ pain or other TMD symptoms—we’re here for you with the treatment options you need for proper relief. Call us at (205) 874-9699 or complete our online contact form to book an appointment today!