Understanding Breathing and the TMJ Connection
I often ask my patients a simple question: did you know your breathing can be affecting by your TMJ? Many are surprised to learn how closely the jaw joints and the airway work together.
As a TMJ dentist in Burlington, I see the subtle and sometimes dramatic ways temporomandibular joint dysfunction influences the way people breathe, sleep, and function throughout the day. At Chittenden Dental, my work as a Burlington bioesthetic dentist’s office has shown me that the jaw does far more than help you speak and chew.
What I See in My Practice Every Day
When patients come in with complaints of headaches, neck tension, or jaw pain, they rarely connect these symptoms to their breathing. In my exam room, however, patterns reveal themselves quickly.
A restricted bite, strained jaw muscles, or displaced temporomandibular joints can narrow the airway. When this happens, the body compensates. I watch people begin to mouth breathe, clench, or thrust the jaw forward without even realizing it. These subtle adaptations can set the stage for TMJD and sleep disturbances.
I remember one patient who came to me convinced her fatigue came from stress. After a detailed evaluation, we discovered her jaw position was limiting her airflow at night. Once we restored a more harmonious relationship between her bite, joints, and airway, she finally felt rested in the morning. Cases like hers remind me why I guide patients to look beyond the symptoms and toward the underlying mechanics of their jaw.
How I Evaluate the Jaw and Airway
My approach begins with careful observation. I look at how a patient holds their jaw, how their teeth come together, and how their muscles respond under gentle pressure.
As a TMJ dentist in Burlington, I rely on bioesthetic principles to understand how the jaws should move when functioning naturally. At Chittenden Dental, we combine these assessments with imaging and airway evaluations to create a clear picture of what is happening beneath the surface.
Sometimes the solution requires a small adjustment in jaw posture. Other times, I provide an oral appliance that guides the temporomandibular joints into a more stable and comfortable position. When the joints move correctly, muscles relax, the bite stabilizes, and the airway often widens.
A Perspective I Share With Every Patient
I want each person who walks into my office to understand that TMJD is not just a jaw problem. It influences breathing, posture, sleep quality, and daily comfort. If you have wondered why your jaw feels tight or why breathing seems harder than it should be, I encourage you to explore whether your temporomandibular joints are playing a role. At Chittenden Dental, my goal is to help you feel the difference a balanced jaw can bring to your overall health.
Schedule an appointment with my bioesthetic dentist’s office in Burlington today.
