Living with temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) can be a serious pain, and certain habits can increase pain and discomfort. With so many people suffering from this sometimes debilitating disorder, it might come as a surprise that some of those people are doing more damage by exacerbating their symptoms. In his practice, Dr. Buck treats many patients with TMJ, and he’s quick to remind them to steer clear of several harmful habits that can make their pain worse.

TMJ can be a very painful condition, and it’s often made worse when patients don’t take the diagnosis as seriously as they should. Here are several things that can make TMJ symptoms worse and one that can help.