If you have pain in your head with no obvious cause, then you may need treatment for a common oral health issue known a TMJ disorder, or TMD. Without treatment, TMD leads to very uncomfortable symptoms. In today’s blog, we’re looking at the causes of TMJ disorder and discussing possible treatment options. Find out what we can do to stop TMD headaches!
TMD and Head Pain
TMJ disorder occurs when the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jaw and skull, become strained. Over time, the disorder could cause difficulties opening and closing the mouth. The causes of the strain could vary, but often include misalignment, bite imbalance, tooth loss, stress, or injury to the face or jaw. The warning signs vary, but may include headaches, jaw pain, a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, aches in the neck or shoulders, or facial pain. If you begin to experience one or more of the common warning signs, then please contact our team today.
Identifying the Issue and Offering Treatment
Our team will carefully examine your smile and look for signs of wear and friction on your teeth. We will also look at your jaw joints for signs of strain as well. In order to treat the disorder, we may take detailed impressions and measurements of your smile, which helps us create a custom-made oral appliance. The oral appliance is worn at night as you sleep, and repositions the jaw joints to ease pressure and help avoid the uncomfortable symptoms we’ve discussed above. We can also alleviate jaw joint strain with the placement of a custom-made dental restoration, or possibly orthodontic treatments to reposition dental alignment.
The Teeth Grinding Connection
Did you know that the disorder is often connected with bruxism? Teeth grinding and jaw clenching place enormous pressure on the teeth, wearing down tooth enamel and eventually cracking or chipping the teeth. The damage then increases the risk of cavities and infection forming. Bruxism also strains the jaw joints, increasing the chances of TMD developing. Untreated bruxism could lead to TMJ disorder, and untreated TMD could make bruxism more likely. To avoid damaging your smile, let us know if you experience any pain or discomfort related to your jaw joints or face, as this could mean an oral health concern that requires treatment! If you have any questions, please contact our team today.
DO YOU NEED TMJ TREATMENT?
If you have issues with headaches, toothaches, and jaw pain, then talk to our team today. To learn more about how we treat TMJ-related discomfort, then schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
