If you’ve ever woken up with jaw tension, headaches, or that feeling of “holding stress in your face,” you’re not alone. Many people assume these symptoms come from stress or teeth grinding — and while that’s partly true, there’s often a deeper connection. At Sandquist Dentistry in Las Vegas, we frequently see how breathing habits and muscle patterns contribute to jaw pain and TMJ issues.
How Breathing Affects the Jaw
When your airway is restricted — even slightly — your body automatically compensates. You may start breathing through your mouth or clenching your jaw without realizing it, especially during sleep. These unconscious habits can overload the muscles and joints that control jaw movement (the temporomandibular joints, or TMJs).
Over time, this leads to:
- Jaw clicking, popping, or stiffness
- Headaches and neck pain
- Worn or fractured teeth from clenching
- Facial tension and poor sleep quality
Why Stress Makes It Worse
When you’re stressed, your body moves into “fight or flight” mode. The muscles in your face, neck, and shoulders tighten, and your breathing becomes shallow — often through your mouth. This creates a feedback loop: restricted breathing increases muscle tension, which can trigger even more jaw clenching and discomfort.
Learning to restore proper nasal breathing and tongue posture can help break that cycle.
How Myofunctional Therapy Helps
Myofunctional therapy is a natural, exercise-based approach to retraining your oral and facial muscles. Through simple, guided exercises, it helps your tongue rest in the right position, strengthens the muscles that support healthy breathing, and promotes a relaxed, stable jaw posture.
Many patients notice improvements such as:
- Reduced jaw pain and tightness
- Fewer headaches
- Better sleep and energy
- A calmer overall sense of well-being
By addressing the root cause — not just the symptoms — myofunctional therapy can help your body shift out of constant tension and into balance.
Is Your Jaw Trying to Tell You Something?
If you’re experiencing TMJ pain, clenching, or frequent tension headaches, it may be time to look beyond the surface. At Sandquist Dentistry, we take a comprehensive approach to diagnosing and treating TMJ concerns, including evaluating how your breathing and muscle patterns may be playing a role.
A balanced bite and a relaxed body often start with a healthy airway.
👉 Schedule an appointment today to learn whether myofunctional therapy could help you breathe easier and feel better.
👉 Curious if this could help you?
Take our quick Myofunctional Therapy Self-Assessment to find out if your breathing and muscle patterns might be affecting your jaw health and sleep.
