TMJ disorders can lead to tooth pain, as well as other uncomfortable symptoms.
If you suffer from a temporomandibular joint disorder, you may be aware of the pain and discomfort that comes with it. The temporomandibular joint is located where your jaw meets the skull, and unfortunately, this area can become irritated or inflamed for a variety of reasons. This inflammation can cause teeth to ache as well as other uncomfortable symptoms such as popping and clicking in the jaw; sharp pains in the ear; and even neck pain. If you are struggling with tooth pain and suspect that the symptom may be related to your TMJ, read on to find out more about the issue and what you can do about it…
What are the symptoms of TMJ disorders?
TMJ disorders can cause a number of uncomfortable symptoms. These include pain in the temporomandibular joints, which connect the jawbone and skull; pain in the jaw; ear pain; facial pain; and locking of the jaw, which can make it difficult to open and close the mouth properly.
Another possible symptom of TMJ disorder is tooth pain. This issue can occur as a result of referred pain from the temporomandibular joints. Tooth pain can also occur when certain trigger points are irritated as a result of contracted and stiff muscles.
How is TMJ treated?
If you are suffering from pain as a result of a TMJ disorder, it is advisable that you seek professional help as soon as possible. Your dentist will examine your jaw and look for areas of pain, as well as look at the range of motion in your jaw. They will ask you about your symptoms and try to determine the cause of your discomfort.
In some cases, your dentist may recommend dental x-rays in order to confirm your diagnosis. A treatment plan can then be customised for you. There are a number of treatments available for TMJ disorders, and in many cases, a combination of approaches may be recommended.
Some of the treatment options include medications; muscle relaxants; oral splints; physical therapy; and stress relief techniques.
Can lifestyle changes help?
Although it is always best to see a medical practitioner if you experience symptoms like jaw, tooth, ear, face and neck pain, there are a few lifestyle changes that can provide relief from discomfort.
If you notice that you often clench your jaw or grind your teeth, try to address these habits in order to reduce their impact. You can also make an effort to avoid overuse of your jaw muscles by eating soft foods, avoiding particularly chewy or sticky foods, and cutting your food into small and manageable pieces.
Certain exercises can help to strengthen and stretch your jaw muscles — speak to your dentist for advice and guidance.
How can we help?
If you are struggling with the painful symptoms of TMD, we encourage you to come in and see us. At Dental Pearls, we have invested in the most up-to-date technology so that we can diagnose, treat and monitor temporomandibular joint disorders.
When you come in for a consultation, we will take the time to find out more about your specific symptoms before tailoring a treatment plan to suit your particular needs. Sometimes, a range of treatments may be involved and we may even refer you to other health practitioners who can assist in alleviating your discomfort.
If you would like to find out more about TMD and the treatments that we offer, please have a look here.
We also offer a comprehensive range of dental services — to find out more about the treatments that we offer, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us here or give us a call on (07) 3210 2144. We look forward to welcoming you to our practice in Brisbane and helping to improve your overall sense of wellbeing.
Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.
