Do stress and daily habits affect the TMJ?

Yes, they have a very large effect. When you're stressed, you unconsciously clench your teeth, putting continuous strain on the jaw muscles and joints. Habits to avoid are 1) chewing on only one side, 2) resting your chin on your hand, 3) sleeping face down, 4) chewing tough foods like gum or dried squid for a long time, and 5) opening your mouth wide when yawning. Early symptoms often improve with habit correction alone. However, if pain or clicking persists for more than 2 weeks even after correcting your habits, please come in for an examination.