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If you grind your teeth, you might develop a serious problem with your jaw. Left untreated, this can adversely affect your teeth, gums, and bone structures of your mouth. It can even be the source for your recurring headaches. The pain and discomfort that is often caused by temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) may be severe, either intermittent or constant, and may even last for years. TMD symptoms may recur during stressful times, whether good or bad, according to the Academy of General Dentistry. TMD involves conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint, jaw muscles and nerves on one or both sides of the head that may result in jaw, face, and head and neck pain. 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 anatomy. If your jaw clicks or pops, this could be a sign of TMJ disorder. Joint sound is one of the most recognized signs of TMJ disorders. Between five and ten percent of Americans suffer from TMJ symptoms that require some form of treatment. The Academy of General Dentistry estimates that more than 10 million Americans suffer from TMD and predicts that as much as 65 to 85 percent will experience some type of TMD symptom in their lifetime. 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 Causes of TMJ Disorders According to the Academy of General Dentistry, though trauma to the jaw or jaw joint sometimes plays a role in TMD, in most instances the cause is unknown. The most common factor contributing to TMD is a bite problem that affects the joint itself. Interferences in the structure of individual teeth may force the lower jaw to become displaced. This leads to the repositioning of the muscles out of their sockets 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 interference in bite and improper jaw closure. The presence of scar tissue may also interfere with your bite, causing TMD. 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 adjusted. 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 headaches or fractured restorations. If your discomfort is more intense when you wake up in the morning, you may be clenching or grinding your teeth while you are sleeping. At the end of the day, if your jaw hurts you may also be clenching your teeth at work, which is often caused by stress. If you are noticing pain, pay attention to where it is located, keep your teeth apart by placing your tongue between your teeth, stretch your jaw by gently opening and closing, and call your Grosse Pointe dentist to ensure that there is no serious problem if your pain continues for several days.
Dr. Mary Sue Stonisch of Faircourt Dental Smile Enhancement Studio is a leading dentist in Grosse Pointe, MI. Providing the best cosmetic and aesthetic dentistry that the Grosse Pointe area has to offer, Dr. Stonisch is qualified to handle any dental need for patients of every age including implants, veneers and saliva testing in Grosse Pointe.
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