Alcohol and your JAW/TMJ issues

Alcohol 🍷 and jaw problems

Hands down, the one legal substance that will have a negative universal impact on any chronic disease!

When we see clients in the clinic for TMJ issues, especially chronic, we often ask if they have alcohol and how their jaw feels the day after. 9/10 times they are aware it gets worse. The 1/10 will often go on to realise after we have brought it to their attention

Alcohol 🍺🍷👇🏼

Causes you to mouth breath

Changes your gut bacteria

Eventually desensitizes you to GABA

Depletes Magnesium

Increases histamine in the brain 🧠

But wait, there’s more 😉

The acidity and astringent properties of alcohol can cause muscles of the jaw to undergo spasms. This may frequently occur after drinking alcohol. Additionally, if there are issues with the parotid gland (salivary gland), drinking alcohol will cause sudden stimulation of the gland. In some cases, this gland may be blocked it may enlarge in size and press the facial nerve passing beneath it. The facial nerve is connected to the jaw muscles. The Irritated nerve can lead to contraction of jaw muscles and trigger pain

Did you know that the bacteria in your gut help you metabolise alcohol? This is one of the many reasons why we all tolerate alcohol in different ways. This can be one reason why alcohol can be worse for the Jaw for some vs others

If your jaw problem is chronic, clicking, clenching, issues chewing or overall pain in the jaw muscles and TMJ. Alcohol isn’t a cause, but it sure is a driver you need to think consider. Trust us, we specialize in TMJ/jaw problems 🧡