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Do you grind your teeth? Have you experienced pain in your jaw or frequent headaches? The pain may not have anything to do with your head. Instead, this pain may signal the potential development of a serious problem with your jaw. Left untreated, this can adversely affect your teeth, gums, and bone structures of your mouth, as well as recurring headaches. The pain and discomfort that is often caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) may be severe, intermittent or constant, and may even last for years. Additionally, TMD symptoms may recur during stressful times, whether good or bad, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. What is Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder? The temporomandibular joints are the points at which the lower jaw attaches to the skull, and are among the most complex joints in the human body. If your jaw clicks or pops, this is a sign of TMJ disorder. Joint sound is one of the most recognized signs of TMJ disorders. TMJ symptoms include: * Clicking and/or difficulty when opening and closing your mouth
* Frequent headaches
* Neck and/or shoulder pain
* Sensitive teeth when no dental problems can be found
* Jaw pain or stiff jaw when chewing, biting, eating or yawning
* Earaches without an infection
Between 5 and 10 percent of Americans suffer from TMJ symptoms that require some form of treatment. Causes of TMJ Disorders According to the Academy of General Dentistry, though trauma to the jaw or jaw joint sometimes plays a role in temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), in most instances the cause is not recognized by the patient or most Dentists.. The most common factor contributing to TMD is a bite problem that affects the alignment of the joint itself when the teeth are brought together. This leads to stress on the joints and over-work of the muscles to force the upper and lower teeth to fit together. Wear and tear on the teeth caused by aging, teeth grinding, clenching, or activities that are outside of normal functioning may cause uneven surfaces on the teeth, leading to additional muscle, joint, or dental problems. Straight teeth do not insure healthy TMJ function nor do crooked teeth indicate a TMJ misalignment. The Impact of TMD on Your Bite and Appearance Your bite and appearance may also be affected by certain causes of TMD. If your dentist identifies problems such as wear, tooth mobility, muscle pain or other signs of malocclusion, your bite may need to be corrected. Ensuring that you have a stable bite is essential to your oral health and the long-term durability and functionality of cosmetic restorations. Additionally, a stable and proper bite helps to ensure that your upper and lower teeth will come into contact comfortably and as pain-free as possible, without unnecessary force that could lead to muscle pain or fractured restorations. If your jaw hurts, pay attention to where it is located, keep your teeth apart by placing your tongue gently to the top of your mouth, stretch your jaw by gently opening and closing, and call Dr. Barnes in Boulder to evaluate if you are developing a serious TMJ problem.
Dr. Mark Barnes, dentist in Boulder, has been practicing dental health care for 24 years with an emphasis on personalized attention for general family dentistry, treatments for TMJ, sleep apnea and snoring, and treatment for a headache in Boulder.
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