The Jaw Cavitations and Adrenal Fatigue Link

The Jaw Cavitations and Adrenal Fatigue Link exposes how dental infections secretly stress your body. Find natural solutions for recovery and testing.

Let’s talk about something that might be secretly messing with your stress hormones – and no, it’s not your mother-in-law or that deadline at work. As a Hashimoto’s Recovery Specialist (and someone who’s been there), I’m going to break down how hidden infections in your jaw could be throwing your adrenals into chaos, even if your teeth feel totally fine.

The Silent Troublemaker in Your Jaw 

Remember that tooth extraction from years ago? Or that root canal that seemed to heal just fine? Well, here’s the plot twist: up to 90% of routine dental extractions can develop something called NICO (Neuralgia-Inducing Cavitational Osteonecrosis). Don’t let that fancy name scare you – it basically means “dead bone pockets in your jaw.”

The real kicker? You might have zero tooth pain or obvious symptoms. It’s like having a party crasher in your body that you didn’t even invite!

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links because I genuinely love and use these products. If you make a purchase through these links I will receive a small commission, but your price remains the same. Also, I’m not a doctor – just a wellness coach sharing what worked for me and my clients. Always consult with your healthcare provider about your specific situation. Images may be enhanced with AI.

Why Your Adrenals Are Freaking Out: The Jaw Cavitations and Adrenal Fatigue Link 

Here’s where things get interesting (and by interesting, I mean frustrating). These hidden jaw infections are like having a fire alarm constantly going off in your body. Even though you can’t hear it, your adrenal glands sure can, and they’re responding exactly how you’d expect – by freaking out.

Let’s break down what happens:

1. Your body discovers these sneaky jaw infections
2. It sends out inflammatory signals (think of them as your body’s version of a panic text chain)
3. Your adrenals respond by pumping out stress hormones
4. This happens day after day, eventually wearing your adrenals out
5. Hello, adrenal fatigue! (And possibly some extra pounds, brain fog, thyroid levels that won’t normalize, and that “tired but wired” feeling)

The Vicious Cycle You Didn’t Know About 

When your adrenals are constantly responding to these hidden infections, they eventually get tired (wouldn’t you?). This can lead to:

• Weird energy crashes throughout the day
• That annoying “second wind” at bedtime when you should be sleeping
• Weight that won’t budge despite doing “everything right”
• Feeling like you need coffee just to human
• Getting sick more often than your kids (and they lick shopping carts!)

Testing and Support 

What Actually Works 

Before you run out and buy every adrenal supplement on Amazon (been there…didn’t work!), here’s what you need to know about testing and supporting your adrenals while dealing with NICO:

Getting Clear Answers

1) Start with a 24-hour saliva cortisol test – this tells you exactly what’s happening with your stress hormones throughout the day

Pro tip: Your cortisol might be high when it should be low, or low when it should be high. Knowing your pattern is crucial before starting any supplements

2) Dive into Chapter 6 of the latest Stop the Thyroid Madness book for a complete understanding of how to interpret your results and what to do next

Tried-and-True Adrenal Support Tools

*Always check with your functional medicine doctor before starting any new protocol!

Red Light Therapy Mat

• Place it over your adrenal area (mid-back)
• Start with just 5 minutes daily
• Gradually work up to 15-20 minutes as tolerated
• Why it works: Helps calm inflammation and supports cellular energy production

SAVE 10% ON MY FAVORITE RED LIGHT THERAPY MAT

PEMF Mat

• Also use over your adrenal area
• Begin slowly and work up to 20 minutes
• Why it works: Supports cellular repair and helps regulate stress response

THIS PEMF MINI MAT IS LIFE-CHANGING

Legs Up the Wall

The laziest but most effective exercise for adrenal support

• Do this for 5-15 minutes daily
• Why it works: Helps reset your nervous system and gives your adrenals a break

The Road to Recovery

Here’s the thing about dealing with NICO and adrenal issues: it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon (but one where you’re allowed to walk and take snack breaks). The key is understanding that those hidden infections in your jaw might be the missing piece in your healing puzzle.

Want to dive deeper? Read about my root canal journey here and learn how I discovered my own NICO cavitations were affecting my adrenal health.

Common Signs You Might Be Struggling From The Jaw Cavitations and Adrenal Fatigue Link

Beyond the typical fatigue and energy crashes, here are some lesser-known signs that hidden jaw infections might be stressing your adrenals:

• Salt and sugar cravings that hit hard in the afternoon
• Difficulty recovering from workouts (even gentle ones)
• Getting lightheaded when standing up quickly
• Finding yourself eating more frequently but still feeling hungry
• Anxiety or racing thoughts, especially at bedtime
• Unexplained hair loss or slow-growing nails
• Temperature sensitivity (especially to cold)
• Digestive issues that seem to come and go

The Immune System Connection 

Here’s something most people don’t realize: your immune system is like a careful accountant – it keeps track of every infection in your body, including those hidden jaw pockets. When these infections persist:

1. Your immune system stays activated 24/7
2. This constant activation drains resources from other body systems
3. Your adrenals pump out extra cortisol to help manage the inflammation
4. Over time, this can lead to immune system confusion (hello, autoimmune conditions!)

Why Traditional Approaches Often Miss This 

If you’ve been to multiple doctors trying to figure out why you’re so tired, you’re not alone. Here’s why NICO and its impact on adrenals often gets overlooked:

• Standard dental X-rays rarely show cavitations (you’d need a cone beam scan for accurate, thorough imaging AND a biologically-trained dentist to spot them)
• Blood tests might look “normal” even when you feel awful
• Most doctors don’t connect dental health with adrenal function, and even more do not recognize adrenal fatigue as “a real thing”
• Symptoms can be blamed on stress or aging (especially in women…don’t get me started!)
• Traditional dentists aren’t typically trained to look for NICO or reject the notion that it exists

The Sleep Connection 

Poor sleep and adrenal dysfunction are best friends – and not the good kind. When jaw infections are stressing your adrenals:

• Your cortisol rhythm gets disrupted
• Melatonin production can be affected
• Blood sugar fluctuations might wake you up at night
• Your body has trouble entering deep, restorative sleep

This creates another vicious cycle: poor sleep stresses your adrenals, and stressed adrenals make it harder to sleep well.

Supporting Your Body Through Recovery 

Beyond the tools mentioned earlier, here are additional ways to support your body while addressing both NICO and adrenal health:

Nutrition Support

• Focus on animal protein-rich breakfasts
• Time your meals with your cortisol rhythm
• Consider mineral-rich bone broths
• Stay hydrated (but not with coffee!) with mineralized water

Movement Modifications

• Choose gentle exercises during healing
• Practice restorative yoga
• Try qigong or tai chi
• Take frequent walking breaks

Stress Management

• Set boundaries around work hours
• Practice daily deep breathing
• Consider meditation or guided imagery
• Create a calming bedtime routine

The Mouth-Body Timeline 

Many people ask me how long it takes to see improvements. While everyone’s journey is different, here’s a general timeline:

First 30 Days

• Begin gentle adrenal support
• Start testing and assessment
• Implement basic lifestyle changes

60-90 Days

• See initial improvements in energy
• Better stress tolerance
• More stable mood and sleep

4-12 Months

• Deeper recovery becomes evident
• Immune system starts rebalancing
• More consistent energy levels

Remember: recovering from both NICO and adrenal fatigue is like turning around a cruise ship – it happens gradually but steadily when you’re pointing in the right direction.

Next Steps for Your Wellness Journey

1. Get that saliva test done – knowledge is power!
2. Talk to a biological dentist about imaging to check for cavitations / NICO
3. Start with gentle adrenal support tools like red light therapy and PEMF therapy while you investigate
4. Document your symptoms and improvements
5. Be patient with your body’s mending process
6. Remember: recovery is possible, even if the path looks different than you expected

In Conclusion: The Jaw Cavitations and Adrenal Fatigue Link

Understanding the connection between jaw cavitations and adrenal health can be the missing piece in your healing puzzle. While discovering hidden dental infections might feel overwhelming at first, remember that awareness is the first step toward recovery.

With the right testing, support, and guidance, you can begin addressing both your dental and adrenal health. Your body has an incredible capacity to heal when given the proper tools and attention. 

Take that first step today – whether it’s scheduling a saliva test or consulting with a functional medicine practitioner. Your future self will thank you for it!

Sources

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20674414

https://dentalwellness.com.au/how-oral-health-plays-part-in-adrenal-fatigue-p1/#:~:text=Settings.%20Unresolved%20oral%20health%20issues%20are%20often,mouth%20or%20dental%20materials%20that%20cause%20sensitivities.

https://holisticdentalcenternj.com/blog/cavitations-the-hidden-dental-issue-you-shouldnt-ignore/

https://milldental.com/treatments/jawbone-cavitations/