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The average person swallows 2,000 times per day, causing the upper and lower teeth to come together and push against the skull. For those who have a poorly aligned bite or missing teeth, health related problems such as frequent headaches or sleep disorders can become more pronounced. As the jaw muscles work harder to bring the teeth together, the surrounding jaw muscles are strained, leading to TMJ disorder. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder, a painful condition that is often mistaken for those recurring headaches. Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorder One of the most common jaw disorders is related to a problem with the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). 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. 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 five and ten 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 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 an interference in bite and improper jaw closure. The presence of scar tissue may also interfere with your bite, causing TMD. Pain May Be Caused by Stress Do you have too many things on your "to-do" list and not enough time to do it? It is important to take a deep breath and stay calm when performing stressful tasks. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, when a situation causes stress, many people grind or clench their teeth, which can eventually lead to temporomandibular joint disorder. When you experience many stressful situations, you may exhibit symptoms such as tightened jaw muscles without realizing it. Over short periods of time, this habit is not detrimental, but long periods of time will prove to be problematic. Prolonged grinding or clenching of your teeth while stressed can cause soreness of the jaw, as well as partial or full locking of the jaw. In addition you may exhibit clicking in the jaw area, earaches that are not caused by infections and pain surrounding your temples. At the end of the day, if your jaw hurts or your head is still pounding, you may be exhibiting TMJ symptoms. Talk to your physician and call your Richmond dentist to ensure that there is no serious problem if your pain continues for several days.
Sean Hartmen writes for leading general and family dentist in Richmond, Dr. Robert Steadman. Since graduating from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry, Dr. Steadman has been in private practice for 20 years. He has also taught part-time at MCV Dental School, lectured statewide, and written articles for dental journals on topics such as Richmond TMJ.
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