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ONE mention of the word Jaws and people’s minds automatically think of Steven Spielberg’s 1970s ‘Great White’ blockbuster movie when an American seaside town was gripped in fear.
For some people though, it conjures up thoughts of their painful, or clicking jaw joints, that cause distress for them on a daily basis.
Never mind sharks, for those unlucky enough to be affected by such problems, it is information on how to alleviate the discomfort that they would love to sink their teeth into.
Well, there is hope, courtesy of Richard Browne, of Maycroft Dental Care Centre in Woking.
By taking positive action that can help.
Firstly, it’s important to know that because ligaments hold the jaw joint together, they can become stretched and the disc of cartilage within it can become displaced. A grating sensation or click can result if this happens as well as all sorts of other discomfort such as a dull ache, or a sharp stabbing pain on one or both sides of the face.
So, we are advised to avoid opening the mouth too wide. Such as biting into large foods like bread rolls or apples. Excessive chewing, nail biting and teeth grating can also exacerbate the problem, while yawning, singing and SHOUTING are also to be undertaken with care.
We are recommended to slice food thinly, eat softer foods, chew slowly, take longer over eating, support our chin while yawning, and remember — eight hours, sleep, eight hours work and eight hours rest!
Stress can cause us to grate our teeth, so not setting unrealistic goals in our work can also help us.
Here’s the best bit and I’ll say this quietly, so as to treat my jaw with respect.
There are exercises to help.
1, Try curling. No, not the Olympic sport in which our British women won gold at the last winter Games. Curl your tongue backwards, so that the tip touches the roof of your mouth towards the back (this holds your jaw backwards).
2, Place your hand under your chin and press bottom jaw down onto it. Keep your teeth apart, your lips resting together and keep the pressure for one minute. Then RELAX, stop pressing, relax your tongue by swallowing and rest your teeth together for one minute. Then do it again, press for one minute, then relax for one minute.
3, Repeat to make a total of five, making an overall total of 10 minutes.
Do this at the beginning or end of each day, and at a time when you are generally feeling comfortable and relaxed. And your pain and discomfort should be eased within two weeks.
Fantastic!
One thing though, if you feel happy with the outcome and want to share your jaw-dropping discovery with others, remember — try not to SHOUT it from the rooftops.
Richard Browne
Maycroft Dental Care Centre in Woking.
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