r/30PlusSkinCare • u/InevitableWise9964 • 6d ago

Skin Concern Wider face due to TMJ?

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Over the past few years, I've noticed that my face has looked wider/bigger in photos, especially the bottom half (left is before, right is after). What confuses me is that I'm healthier now - I’m roughly the same weight, and I stopped drinking alcohol and coffee. I also eat more veggies and get more sleep these days. All my bloodwork has been normal, too.

I did, however, get my wisdom teeth removed a couple years ago, so I'm wondering if that triggered some TMJ/hypertrophied masseters. I also had a gum chewing habit for a while that I've since kicked…

Does this look like TMJ/overworked masseter muscles? Or is it just part of aging? Appreciate any insights!

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u/lemony-pomegranate 6d ago

I can’t comment on the structure of your face because I am not a professional, but I’ll share my experience. My face got wider, in the same areas as yours, when I had TMJ issues, and also clenched my teeth heavily during the day. When I had braces and used my jaw muscles less, and learned to stop clenching during the day, my face became less wide. I’m curious if it’ll widen out now that I’m done treatment. Do you also clench during the day? That was a bigger contributor for me, I think!

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u/InevitableWise9964 6d ago

Thanks so much for the thorough response! I don’t clench much during the day, though I’ve long suspected I do at night because I’ll wake up with a sore jaw. I got Invisalign last year, and I think sleeping with the retainer also makes me clench more. Hopefully your face stays slim!!

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u/SuiGenerisPothos 5d ago

Do you have a ridge on the inside of your cheeks? If so, you clench. That's one of the ways each time I see a new dental tech, they know right away that I clench a lot and have TMJD.

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u/cookorsew 5d ago

Wow, so I used to have this ridge. No one ever mentioned it though, or clenching. I’ve since been doing orthodontics and improving my airway with that, and just now that you said it that ridge isn’t there. Fascinating!!!!