16/06/2025
🧠 What Are Parafunctional Habits?
Parafunctional habits are everyday behaviours involving the jaw and mouth that happen outside of normal functions like eating, speaking, yawning or swallowing. They’re usually subconscious and often linked to stress, concentration, or routine — and over time, they can contribute to discomfort in the jaw or face.
👄 Common Examples Include:
• Clenching your jaw (especially during stress or focused tasks)
• Grinding your teeth (often during sleep — also known as bruxism)
• Chewing on pens, fingernails, or gum
• Resting your chin on your hand
• Biting the inside of your cheek or lips
• Pressing the tongue against the teeth or holding tension in the tongue or jaw
😌 Why These Habits Matter:
These habits are very common — and not always a cause for concern. But when they happen frequently or persist over time, they can contribute to extra strain on the jaw muscles and joints. This might lead to symptoms like:
• Jaw or facial tension
• Clicking or popping in the jaw
• Headaches or neck stiffness
• Feeling like the jaw fatigues easily when talking or chewing
It’s less about “damage” and more about muscle overuse and giving the jaw a chance to reset and move more efficiently.
🔄 How We Can Help:
At Suncoast Headache, Neck & Jaw Clinic, we help you become more aware of these habits and support you in managing or modifying them, without stress or pressure.
Our approach may include:
• Education to help recognise patterns
• Manual therapy to reduce muscle tightness and support joint mobility
• Relaxation techniques for the jaw and nervous system
• Jaw coordination and movement retraining
• Advice on posture, sleep habits, and how to avoid unhelpful tension patterns
✅ Takeaway:
Parafunctional habits are common and not always harmful — but if you’re noticing discomfort around the jaw, face, or neck, it’s worth exploring whether some small, everyday behaviours are contributing. With the right guidance, these habits can be modified in simple, sustainable ways.