When teeth do not line up properly with their grinding mates, the trauma to the teeth, muscles, ligaments and connective tissue can cause a wide range of painful symptoms that indicate the presence of a condition called TMJ disorder.
What Is TMJ?
TMJ, which stands for temporomandibular joint, goes by several other names and acronyms, such as jaw joint, TMJD, TMD and TMJ Syndrome. TMJ is a condition that occurs when an individual's jaw is misaligned or if their bite is damaged in some other way. Normally taken for granted, the joints that attach the lower jaw to the skull are, in fact, the most complex joints in the human body, being connected to an elaborate system of muscles, nerves, bones and teeth and actually being a system of two joints that work in different directions. While one rotates, the other slides, making them very susceptible to injury..
The first indication of a problem is clicking in the joint itself. Unfortunately, symptoms do not always appear related to the joint, making it more difficult for your dentist to identify. Generally speaking, this misalignment results in chronic inflammation, pain and impairment.
Common Symptoms
Due to the sensitive location of the temporomandibular joint, dysfunctions can exhibit symptoms in a wide range of areas. Symptoms may include migraine headaches, numbness in the arms or pain in the shoulders and neck. More often, the pain and swelling are localized to the face and jaw area, radiating outward to the neck and shoulders. Some individuals experience ear pain, tinnitus and hearing loss.
What You Can Expect From Treatment
There are many steps involved with the successful treatment of TMJ disorder. One step involves repairing the surface damage done to the teeth and providing pain relief. To correctly determine the cause of your condition, your dentist will take a full medical history, question you about any potential trauma to the area and look for behaviors that may exacerbate the condition, such as gum chewing, nail biting and teeth grinding.
Dentistry treatment involves retraining your body to use correct posture, mouth position and chewing habits to prevent future damage. Your dentist can help you find the best treatment for your particular situation.
Physical therapy is used reduce or eliminate tension and strain in the muscles attached to your jaw. Your dentist will also teach you specific stretching and relaxation exercises. Biteplates and mouth guards are frequently used as part of the treatment. In some cases, your dentist may recommend dental surgery to correct the problem. The good news is that treatment is generally quite effective. If you are experiencing headaches, jaw, neck, ear or facial pain, it is crucial that you visit your dentist for diagnosis and treatment.
Dental health has a far greater impact on our overall health than many realize. As anyone who has ever suffered a toothache knows, tooth pain can be excruciating. What many people fail to realize is that there are many other ways the health of your teeth, gums and jaw can affect other parts of your body and can even cause death, which is why regular visits to your dentist are so important.
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