Many of us have headaches somewhat regularly, but not many are aware that they can be caused by a misalignment of the jaw joints called TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint) disorder. These joints connect your lower jaw to your skull. For a variety of reasons, your jaw joints can become unbalanced or misaligned. In today’s blog post, your Livonia, MI, dentist will discuss the causes of this order and ways he can treat it.
What Are The Signs?
If you regularly suffer from headaches, earaches, migraines, and jaw popping, you may have a TMJ Disorder. Moreover, facial and jaw soreness can be signs as well. Those who suffer from a misaligned jaw can also develop bruxism, or severe teeth grinding. If you experience any of these symptoms and have yet to find a cause, you could very well have TMJ Disorder. We suggest reaching out to your dentist, so they can conduct a comprehensive examination to determine the cause. If this condition goes untreated, you could damage your teeth and jaw, leading to more severe complications.
Why Does It Hurt?
TMJ Disorder is so painful because the joints that connect your jaw to your skull contain a vast network of nerves. Furthermore, we use these joints for a wide array of things like talking, eating, and biting. We can’t very well cease any of these, so a misaligned jaw is almost always in motion. While the pain primarily affects your head, neck, and mouth, it can also be felt all the way down in the shoulders and lower back.
How Is It Treated?
First, your dentist will evaluate your mouth and jaw. If they determine there is a misalignment, your dentist will take images and make a precise impression of your mouth. From there, they will create a unique, custom oral appliance that will reposition your jaw into its proper alignment. This will ultimately ease the stress and strain on your jaw joints. Over time, your headaches and any other associated pain should dissipate.
Bruxism
Teeth grinding, or bruxism is an associated ailment. When your joints are misaligned, your stressed muscles and nerves can cause your jaw to move while sleeping, leading to the grinding and clenching of your teeth. In severe cases, tooth damage can occur. While examining your mouth for TMJ, your dentist will be able to identify the causes of your teeth grinding and create the appropriate appliance for this as well.
Do You Have Questions About TMJ Disorder?
Correcting your jaw alignment could very well relieve ongoing headaches and other associated pains. For more information on our custom solutions for issues like TMJ disorder and bruxism, call the office of James Stewart, DDS in Livonia, MI, today at (734) 425-4400. You can also visit our office at 15873 Middlebelt Rd Suite 100 Livonia, MI 48151.