Is Jaw Joint Health Linked to the Immune System
Few things put a person’s health more at risk than a compromised immune system. The immune system protects us from things like the common cold and seasonal flu and everything in between. When it’s compromised, we’re at risk. While a number of things can contribute to a weakened immune system, one that might be one of the more surprising is the health of the jaw joint.
Immunosuppression and the Temporomandibular Joint
The temporomandibular joint is the jaw joint. It connects the jaw bone to the skull and is responsible for movements such as chewing, swallowing, speaking, yawning, breathing, etc. Anytime a person opens their mouth, they have their jaw joint to thank. So how does this play into the functioning of the immune system? We’re so glad you asked.
The side effects of a dysfunctional jaw joint and the causes of immunosuppression are remarkably similar:
- Stress
- Digestive disorders
- Sleep sleep apnea
- Cardiovascular disorders
- Diabetes
Stress
Stress causes an increase in the hormone cortisol. Cortisol is a naturally produced steroid that regulates things like mood, motivation, and fear. In unregulated amounts, however, cortisol can suppress the effectiveness of the immune system by lowering the number of white blood cells present in the bloodstream.
Dysfunctional jaw joints like those subject to TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) create stress by triggering the sympathetic nervous system as a result of additional muscle strain to support joint dysfunction.
Digestive Disorders
Food is our primary source of nutrients. Because TMD affects the jaw joint, it can be prohibitive to eat foods that also happen to provide the most nutrients. Raw vegetables, for example, are usually particularly crunchy and also aggravate dysfunctional jaw symptoms. This in turn causes drops in the effectiveness of our immune system because our immune health is determined by our overall health.
TMD can also promote less chewing. Not chewing food enough causes them to not be digested enough upon entering the rest of the digestive tract. This predicament can also trigger alarms in your immune system.
Sleep Disorders
Sleep apnea is a major contributor to the other issues mentioned in the list above. Sleep apnea is known to cause both cardiovascular disease and diabetes. As it turns out, TMD is a primary contributor to sleep apnea. All of these conditions, from not getting adequate sleep, to an unhealthy heart, to diabetes can all impair the body’s ability to fight disease.
Protect Immune Health By Getting Checked for TMD
Immune health is special. It protects us from disease and promotes general well-being. If your jaw clicks, pops, or is painful when chewing, schedule a consultation with Dr. Buck to determine if you might be suffering from a temporomandibular disorder. People interested in learning more can call our office at (425) 329-4682 or fill out a contact form on our website.
