First and foremost, jaw joints are the most-used joint in the body, saidDr.
The simple act of swallowing makes our jaw move, Mistry said.
Below, experts share the habits they avoid to keep their jaws healthy.
They dont lean their hand against their jaw.
They dont clench their teeth.
Karyn Kahn, a dentist who focuses on jaw disorders at Cleveland Clinic in Ohio.
Jaw clenching can cause TMJ arthritic changes, in addition to inflammation.
The same goes for grinding your teeth, which many people do at night, Kahn added.
Signs that youre grinding your teethat night include headaches, tooth pain and tooth sensitivity.
Whats more, Kahn recommends a nighttime mouthguard to protect your teeth from grinding.
Your dentist can help you get outfitted with one that fits your mouth.
They dont discount postures impact on jaw health.
Mistry said its important that youre conscious of your posture when sitting in front of a computer.
In other words, all three body parts should be lined up, Mistry explained.
They dont open items with their teeth.
They dont chew gum excessively.
According to Kahn, gum chewing can also be detrimental to your jaw health.
The habit causes excessive jaw movement and can risk overloading the joint or aggravating your jaw disc.
There is no one definition of excessive gum chewing, Kahn explained.
They dont chew pens or bite their nails.
Plus, biting your nails introduces dirt and bacteria into the body, Mistry noted.
They dont skip regular dental check-ups.
I would stress regular dental checkups at least every six months, Kahn said.
