I've been wearing face masks at work for the last few weeks, and I feel like they're messing up my facial bones. After several hours wearing a mask, my teeth feel like they're only meeting at the buccal edge, rather than across the entire biting surface, and I get a headache where my nasal bone meets my frontal bone. Do you think my facial bones are really that unstable, or am I likely imagining it?
What kind of masks are they, how heavy are they, and how many hours is several? If it’s your standard disposable of fabric mask, I’m going to say it’s unlikely they are moving the bones, but muscle tension/pressure pain is a more likely culprit and can absolutely feel like your bones are grinding/shifting.
Tension headaches for me feel like my bones are in the wrong place as the muscles constrict and spasm, and it’s a very not fun experience. For your teeth, I also think it’s more likely you are subconsciously clenching your jaw due to *waves hand to encompass the world* everything, as what you are describing is common in TMJD (temporomandibular disorder), where if the jaw muscles get inflamed they can lock up, and you can sometimes have problems chewing, moving the jaw, but also just notice things like your teeth feel like they aren’t quite sitting right, usually because one side of the jaw is tighter than the other and is pulling the jaw incrementally to that side.
The other most common symptom from TMJ(D) is also a headache and facial muscular pain that can often feel bone-deep, and can also feel like it’s radiating around the sinuses depending on which muscle area is to blame for the flare. It can also make the muscles tender to touch.
So, I mean, I’m not saying it’s impossible I more just think your muscles are locked up and giving you a hard time. The mask just happens to be a common factor.
You might also be tensing up because of the mask, either because it’s putting pressure behind your hears from the loops (massaging the muscles behind the ear can help relieve TMJ pain, so it stands to reason if they get cranky it could also cause a TMJ flare) or because you are aware of it on your face and you’re trying not to touch it. I know when I wear my vogmasks, I’m very aware of trying to keep them in place by not moving my face as much, but I’m also extremely hypermobile in my jaw due to EDS/surgery damage, and my masks have never shifted my facial bones. Laying down on one side? Sure, that’ll dislocate my jaw if I’m not careful, but not my masks, even after 10-12 hours wearing them.
I’d honestly try a heat pack on the jaw joints (20 mins on, 20 mins off) to see if it helps relieve the pain and maybe settles things down. You’ll likely have to do it every day after work while things are ongoing, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt for you to carve out a little downtime for yourself to do some self-care and help your muscles relax.
I hope this is helpful, and I’m sorry you’re still having to work during these times. Take care and stay as safe as you can <3
