How TMJ Pain Spreads
Similar to a toothache, chronic jaw pain can make simple actions like biting, chewing, and speaking difficult and uncomfortable. To exacerbate matters, jaw discomfort is often accompanied by various, seemingly-unrelated issues, including chronic migraines, earaches, and soreness in the neck, back, and shoulders. TMJ disorder, which describes a dysfunction with the jaw’s joints, is a common source behind recurring head, mouth, and facial discomfort. Many patients can endure discomfort for years before visiting their dentists and learning of TMJ disorder. Once TMJ pain is detected and diagnosed, however, your Downey dentists can help alleviate the discomfort by addressing its underlying cause.
What is TMJ Disorder?
Temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are located at the temporal bones in front of each ear and connect the lower jaw, or mandible, to the skull. Healthy TMJs allow the jaw to open, close, and move around comfortably, displacing the pressure of a patient’s bite evenly rather than concentrating it on a single point. TMJ disorder describes a condition where excessive pressure is placed on these joints, either from an imbalanced jaw, a traumatic dental injury, habitual teeth-grinding, or a congenital jawbone defect. The undue stress can lead to jaw-joint damage and/or misalignment, which disturbs the jaw’s nerve. Known as the trigeminal nerve, the nerve that passes through the jaw also innervates much of a person’s craniofacial structure, and pain along this nerve can be transmitted to other areas, including the head, neck, and ears.
How to Address a Functional Disorder
Because of its diverse range of symptoms, TMJ diagnosis is often difficult and requires a comprehensive professional examination. If TMJ disorder is the cause of your jaw pain, then addressing the underlying issue will be vital to finding relief. For instance, an imbalance bite can be corrected through orthodontic treatment, which will relieve the pressure placed on your TMJs. If teeth-grinding, or bruxism, is the source of your jaw’s dysfunction, than putting a stop to the habit can also help relieve the tension and pressure that are causing discomfort.
About Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry:
Dr. Hadis Reyhani, Dr. Ben Reyhani, and Dr. Pasha Hakimzadeh provide a wealth of combined experience, along with innovative technology and personalized care, to help improve our patients’ dental health and function and help them enjoy smiling again. To schedule a consultation, call Downey Family Cosmetic Dentistry today at (562) 472-2433.
