Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJD)
Many people are surprised to learn that oral posture and tongue function play a significant role in jaw pain. Chronic mouth breathing, low tongue posture, tongue thrust swallowing, and other dysfunctional habits can contribute to long-term strain on the jaw and surrounding muscles.
4 Core Causes of Jaw Pain
1. Clenching and Grinding
When the airway is compromised during sleep, the body often enters a stress response to help open it.
This can trigger clenching and grinding (bruxism), as the facial muscles contract to move the jaw forward and clear the airway—much like how you'd perform a jaw thrust during CPR. This nighttime grinding can generate up to 1,000 psi of pressure, leading to:
Worn, cracked, or broken teeth
Facial pain or tension
Stiffness or locking of the jaw
2. Forward Head Posture
Low tongue posture and mouth breathing reduce airway space. In response, the body subconsciously shifts the head forward in an attempt to breathe better—called forward head posture.
This head position strains the neck, shoulders, and upper back, adding to muscle tension and joint misalignment. Over time, this compensation contributes to:
Chronic neck and shoulder pain
Postural fatigue
Additional pressure on the TMJ
3. Fascia and Compensatory Muscle Use
Fascia is a web of connective tissue that links everything in the body—muscles, bones, organs. The deep front line fascia, for example, connects the tongue all the way to the diaphragm, hips, knees, and feet.
When the tongue is restricted or used improperly, it creates tension throughout this system. Overuse of outer tongue and facial muscles leads to:
Imbalanced jaw movement
Muscle fatigue
Increased stress on the joint
4. Changes in Occlusion and Facial Development
Proper tongue posture is crucial for guiding the growth of the jaws and dental arches. When the tongue stays low, it affects how the maxilla (upper jaw) and mandible (lower jaw) grow:
The maxilla may grow down and narrow
The mandible may be forced downward and backward
The TMJ disc may become compressed or displaced
There’s less support for the jaw joints without the tongue pressing against the palate
These changes can result in bite issues, instability, and chronic pain in the jaw joints
How Can Myofunctional Therapy Help?
Myofunctional therapy works by retraining the muscles of the face, mouth, and neck to restore healthy function. It helps:
Reestablish proper tongue posture
Promote nasal breathing
Improve swallowing mechanics
Reduce reliance on compensatory facial and jaw muscles
Over time, these corrections help support and stabilize the jaw joint. While myofunctional therapy can be powerful on its own, it is most effective when combined with other TMJ-focused treatments, including:
Appliance therapy
TMJ-focused chiropractic care
Intra-oral and extra-oral massage therapy
Breathwork and nervous system regulations
TMJ pain is often a whole-body issue rooted in the way we breathe, swallow, and hold posture—especially during sleep.
If you’ve been struggling with chronic jaw pain, clenching, or tension, it’s worth exploring whether your tongue posture or airway may be part of the problem.
