Are you the type that likes to focus on personal health and well-being? Do you like to think you make healthy decisions for yourself, choosing a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly and getting plenty of sleep? While those are all fabulous habits and will benefit your health, there may be one thing you’re overlooking and that’s your jaw. Yes, that’s right even your jaw deserves attention to ensure that it stays healthy and strong. As you begin to age, this becomes even more important so it’s best to embrace healthy measures now.
Here are four things you need to do to keep your jaw healthy.
Include a Calcium Supplement in Your Routine
A very simple yet effective step is to start taking a daily calcium supplement. Even if you think you are getting enough calcium, as you age the body requires a higher level which can be difficult to achieve through diet alone. Calcium is essential in keeping your teeth and jaw healthy and strong. Without enough calcium, you run the risk of losing bone density which can then lead to a weakened jaw and even TMJ.
Stay On Top of Your Dental Health
This leads nicely into the next tip, which is your dental health. Maintaining good oral hygiene doesn’t just benefit your teeth, it also benefits your jaw health. Oral hygiene includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing at least once a day, visiting the dentist for regular cleanings and check-ups and addressing issues right away such as cavities, tooth pain, missing or cracked teeth and so on. The more effort you put into your oral health, the more your jaw will benefit.
Jaw Exercises Can Help in a Variety of Ways
Another tip is to use jaw exercises to strengthen the muscles and better your health. Jaw exercises may be able to help those who have chronic pain in the jaw bones, muscles and nerves, giving them much-needed relief. They can even help with head and neck pain since much of it can be connected.
There are several different jaw exercises to try, but one that has been creating a buzz is mewing. Not only can mewing potentially help with pain but it can lead to a better-defined facial structure. Some even claim that mewing can help with sinus inflammation, breathing problems, swallowing disorders and more. The results will vary, but it can be an exercise worth looking into.
The exercises in mewing are based on the placement of your tongue in your mouth. It is meant to improve the posture of your jaw, which is why some people find it can reshape the lines of their face. You can find tutorials and instructions online that take you through the steps.
If You’re a Teeth Grinder, Visit the Dentist
While teeth grinding may seem harmless to you, it can cause all kinds of damage. Not only will it wear down your teeth over time, but it can cause serious pain and discomfort in your jaw. Think about it, your jaw is constantly in motion while you sleep, not getting any rest. This often leads to tight muscles in the jaw which is not only painful but often causes chronic headaches as well. It can get so tight that your jaw locks and you are unable to open it.
A healthy jaw is something that shouldn’t be underestimated as it can affect so much of your body and its general health. Taking these simple steps can help put you on the right track and ensure you’ve got a strong and healthy jaw even as you age.
