For many, commuting is an unavoidable part of daily life. When travelling long distances – often elongated by slow-moving traffic, long-haul flights, or train journeys – significant portions of the day are often spent in static positions before even arriving at work. While the impact of commuting on the body, such as the back, neck, and musculoskeletal health, is widely recognised and researched, its potential effect on temporomandibular disorders (TMD) is discussed far less frequently.[i]
There is, however, growing awareness of the relationship between posture, muscular tension, and temporomandibular function. Long periods of time spent driving or travelling could contribute to strain that affects the jaw. This can be particularly prevalent in patients already experiencing parafunctional habits, which put dental professionals in a unique position to support them and reduce both pain and its consequences.[ii]
Static posture and muscular fatigue
Commuting differs from many other daily activities because movement is limited for prolonged periods of time. Driving, of course, often requires the maintenance of the same upper body position throughout an entire journey, with minimal flexibility for variation in head, neck, or shoulder posture.
Furthermore, even public transport users (such as taking the bus, train, or tube systems) frequently endure sustained positions, especially in the modern era of constantly looking down at phones or laptops during travel.[iii] Combined with fatigue at the end of long days, posture often deteriorates even more significantly during evening travel – often evidenced through return journeys.
An additional aspect to note is for patients commuting with baggage. Aiming for symmetry in weight loads assists in avoiding pains across the musculoskeletal system. Similarly, wearing a backpack with dual straps, over the likes of a tote bag or satchel for example, can better support the alignment of the spine.[iv]
Over time, these habits can compound, placing increased strain on the cervical spine and associated musculature. Poor seating support – as comfort is rarely prioritised in design – as well as incorrectly positioned headrests, and slouched posture may all contribute to forward head positioning. As the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) functions closely alongside the head and cervical spine, one area of poor posture can influence tension elsewhere.
Strains of travel
Driving itself can also encourage subtle muscular guarding. Periods of intense concentration can subconsciously tighten the shoulders, neck, or jaw for many, particularly in stressful or stop-and-start traffic conditions. Unlike other obvious clenching scenarios, these parafunctional habits are often of lower level and long-sustained, making them difficult for patients to recognise.
Short journeys might seem unlikely to create significant issues, which is true in isolation. However, repeated exposure over months or years may cause muscular fatigue and strain. This again, places dental professionals as the link between patients understanding and altering their habits, before the risks develop.
Stress behind the journey
Stress is another important factor associated with commuting – both in driving and public transport. Delays, congestion, aggressive driving environments, and overwhelming travel conditions can each increase tension levels. This heightened stress response often expresses physically, especially across the jaw and surrounding structures.[v]
Patients experiencing stress-related parafunctional activity might clench their teeth during concentration or tension, without even being consciously aware of it. For some patients, these symptoms may become cyclical in presentation, as morning commutes create tension before the day begins, while evening journeys continue this muscular fatigue rather than supporting recovery. For many, this also acts like a sandwich around spending the working day at a desk, encouraging extended periods of reduced movement across the entire day. When repeated daily, this can establish a continuum of discomfort that gradually become more noticeable.
Hydration and breathing patterns when travelling may also encourage TMD as long drives with caffeine consumption and limited breaks can contribute to muscular tension and fatigue. Some patients may also mouth breath during concentration or stress, which can further affect muscular activity around the jaw.[vi]
Supporting patients
Dental professionals have the ability to identify certain lifestyle factors that can contribute to TMD symptoms. Simple adjustments may help reduce strain considerably and beyond encouraging patients to improve seat positioning and more, there are certain tools that can be recommended for rehabilitation.
The OraStretch® Press Rehab System from Total TMJ offers a practical solution for patients experiencing reduced jaw mobility associated with TMD. Designed for the gradual improvement in jaw opening and function, the system provides controlled stretching in a simple and accessible format. Better yet, certain adaptations are available for a broad range of patient needs, including edentulous patients, smaller mouths, and those with further limited oral opening.
Travelling with comfort
Although commuting is a normal part of modern working life, the consequences of it should not be normalised too. Prolonged daily travel may contribute to muscular tension and postural strain, with other parafunctional effects also being involved in the association with TMD.
Because symptoms frequently develop gradually, the connection may easily go unnoticed by patients, putting dental professionals in the perfect position to support them.
For more details about Total TMJ and the products available, please email info@totaltmj.co.uk
Author – George Barry – Sales & Marketing Manager at Total TMJ
[i] Rocha CP, Croci CS, Caria PH. Is there relationship between temporomandibular disorders and head and cervical posture? A systematic review. J Oral Rehabil. 2013 Nov;40(11):875-81. doi: 10.1111/joor.12104. Epub 2013 Oct 7. PMID: 24118029.
[ii] Bracci A, Lobbezoo F, Häggman-Henrikson B, Colonna A, Nykänen L, Pollis M, Ahlberg J, Manfredini D, International Network For Orofacial Pain And Related Disorders Methodology INfORM. Current Knowledge and Future Perspectives on Awake Bruxism Assessment: Expert Consensus Recommendations. J Clin Med. 2022 Aug 30;11(17):5083. doi: 10.3390/jcm11175083. PMID: 36079013; PMCID: PMC9457508.
[iii] Valera Calero, Juan. (2021). Association between Temporomandibular Disorders with Head and Neck Posture: A Systematic Review. International Journal of Dentistry and Oral Science. 1314-1319. 10.19070/2377-8075-21000260.
[iv] Vaghela NP, Parekh SK, Padsala D, Patel D. Effect of backpack loading on cervical and sagittal shoulder posture in standing and after dynamic activity in school going children. J Family Med Prim Care. 2019 Mar;8(3):1076-1081. doi: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_367_18. PMID: 31041254; PMCID: PMC6482718.
[v] Fillingim RB, Ohrbach R, Greenspan JD, Knott C, Diatchenko L, Dubner R, Bair E, Baraian C, Mack N, Slade GD, Maixner W. Psychological factors associated with development of TMD: the OPPERA prospective cohort study. J Pain. 2013 Dec;14(12 Suppl):T75-90. doi: 10.1016/j.jpain.2013.06.009. PMID: 24275225; PMCID: PMC3855656.
[vi] Lin L, Zhao T, Qin D, Hua F, He H. The impact of mouth breathing on dentofacial development: A concise review. Front Public Health. 2022 Sep 8;10:929165. doi: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.929165. PMID: 36159237; PMCID: PMC9498581.
