What Does A Healthy Jaw Look And Feel Like?
Your jaw is a complex joint system that plays a crucial role in everyday activities like eating, speaking, and expressing emotions. When your jaw is working properly, you may not give it much thought. However, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can significantly impact jaw function, affecting your oral health and your overall well-being. Let’s explore what a healthy jaw looks and feels like and how TMJ can affect jaw function.
The Appearance of a Healthy Jaw
A healthy jaw appears symmetrical and balanced. When you look in the mirror, your jawline should be even on both sides, with no noticeable swelling or asymmetry. Additionally, your teeth should line up properly when your mouth is closed, with no signs of misalignment, irregular spacing, overbite, underbite, or a narrow arch.
Signs of a Healthy Jaw
In addition to its appearance, a healthy jaw should feel comfortable and move smoothly. Here are some signs that your jaw is in good shape:
- Painless Movement: When you open and close your mouth, there should be no pain, clicking, popping, or grinding sensations in the jaw joint. Moving your jaw should be fluid and effortless.
- Full Range of Motion: Your jaw should be able to open wide. It should move freely up and down and from side to side. You should feel no pain or fatigue when chewing your food and be able to yawn easily and comfortably.
- Stable Bite: Your upper and lower teeth should fit together comfortably when your mouth is closed, with no signs of overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Your bite should feel stable and balanced, which is essential for efficient chewing and biting.
- Relaxed Muscles: The facial muscles around the jaw should feel relaxed and loose, not tight or tense. There should be no noticeable swelling or tenderness anywhere in the jaw area.
Having a healthy jaw means that you can perform essential daily functions without pain or discomfort. A TMJ disorder disrupts healthy jaw function and can impact your quality of life. If your jaw
- makes noise when you open and close your mouth,
- often feels tense,
- does not open wide enough to take comfortable bites,
- gets fatigued easily,
you may have an unhealthy jaw joint. If you allow these symptoms to go untreated, there is a strong possibility they will get worse over time, creating more pain and discomfort for you.
A healthy jaw is essential for optimal oral health and overall well-being. By understanding what a healthy jaw looks and feels like, you can better recognize potential issues and seek timely treatment if problems arise. If you experience symptoms of TMJ or have concerns about your jaw function, don’t hesitate to contact TMJ Treatment located in London, ON to request an appointment for a jaw health screening.