Tongue biting, a sign of TMJ disorder
01 Role of the Temporomandibular Joint During Sleep
- Maintaining Vital Activities: Even during sleep, our bodies maintain essential vital activities such as swallowing saliva and circulating cerebrospinal fluid.
- Movement of the Temporomandibular Joint: To swallow saliva, the temporomandibular joint must move subtly, causing the upper and lower teeth to meet and create negative pressure. This process also acts as a pump, aiding in cerebrospinal fluid circulation.
02 Problems Caused by TMJ Disorder
โ Abnormal Increase in Force
When the temporomandibular joint's function is impaired, the force of clenching teeth becomes abnormally strong. This can persist even during sleep.
โ Occurrence of Dysfunction
Normal occlusion becomes difficult, leading to a decrease in the pump function that aids cerebrospinal fluid circulation, and potentially affecting overall bodily functions.
03 Fundamental Causes of Tongue Biting
- Oral Myofunctional Disorder: Individuals with TMJ disorder often experience 'oral myofunctional disorder,' which is a reduced ability to properly control the tongue.
- Incorrect Tongue Position: The tongue, which should normally rest against the palate, drops down and is positioned between the molars. When the jaw is clenched with strong force, the tongue ends up being bitten.
