Can jaw pain contribute to movement limitations? 

By: Peter Stamos

Surprisingly, jaw pain or dental issues can significantly affect a person’s mobility. Like other parts of our body, the jaw and mouth receive sensory input that is transmitted to the brain. When this sensory input is disrupted—whether due to surgery, a misaligned bite, or pain—a range of dysfunctions can occur. The mouth is filled with receptors that provide sensory information to the brain, and these receptors send their signals to a nerve known as the trigeminal nerve.

As mentioned in previous newsletters, pain is a threat response. For instance, when someone’s bite is misaligned, the brain is threatened, and the neck can become unstable in response. Once the neck becomes unstable, limits in shoulder motion will occur. 

Another surprising effect of jaw issues is an impact on balance. After dental surgery, one possible side effect is increased postural sway. Throughout the day, we all make small movements to help maintain our balance, though we typically don’t notice them unless evaluated on a force plate. Increased postural sway can make it more difficult to balance and may lead to falls, which we all want to avoid.

If you experienced TMJ or have had dental surgeries, please watch this video by Kruise Elite.