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If you suffer from migraines or other headache pain, TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders or jaw joint dysfunction may be the leading cause of your anguish. The temporomandibular joint is the ball-and-socket type joint on either side of your head where the lower jaw connects to the temporal bone of the skull. Most people who experience the pain associated with TMJ disorders think that they are experiencing a bad migraine, when this may be more of a dental condition. The similarity in symptoms can make it difficult to diagnose and it may end up not being treated properly. These types of headaches typically occur in women more often than in men. Most women complain that the pain worsens right before menstruation and during emotional or physical stress and usually resonates on either side of the head over the temples, which can also be linked to migraines. Since TMJ disorders are dental in nature, most are caused by some sort of trauma to the jaw. Any habits that overwork the jaw muscles can intensify the pain of a TMJ disorder, such as clenching or grinding your teeth. What is Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder? 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. 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 your dentist in Waukesha to evaluate if you are developing a serious TMJ problem.
Dr. Michael LaFratta, cosmetic dentist in Waukesha, works alongside Dr. James Murphy, Waukesha family dentist, to provide exceptional dental health care to patients of all ages. Their two dentist partnership was established in 1999 as a general practice providing preventive, operative, cosmetic and an array of other dental services.
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