While waking up with a headache every once-in-a-while is hardly a major concern to most, it can actually be related to bite misalignment. In fact, consistent headaches or migraines throughout the day can be indicative of an imbalance between your jaw’s joints and muscles. Fortunately, your Fort Worth, TX orthodontists at Lake Country Orthodontics can provide therapy treatment that addresses these concerns in addition to others, and wants to inform you of a few indicators that you may be experiencing TMJ.
Difficulty Biting or Chewing
Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) Disorder describes the dysfunction in one or both of the two joints that your lower jaw hinges upon. This phenomenon can cause improper alignment that lead your joints and muscles to work even harder to perform regular functions such as biting or chewing, and can result in joint damage and inflammation.
For individuals experiencing this phenomenon, therapy may be an option. TMJ Therapy consists of using an oral splint to reposition your jaw. This allows the joints to heal and realign back into their normal position to not only relieve any related pain you may be experiencing, but can help prevent more serious dental problems in the future. Not only does the splint help realign your jaw, but it is custom-designed to best accommodate you and your unique structure, fitting the curvature of your jaw. For more information about this process, contact our office today.
Chronic Pain
Another indicator that may mean you are suffering from TMJ disorder includes chronic pain such as earaches or headaches. The lower bone hinges to the skull just below each ear, meaning the stress of an uneven alignment can cause aches in the ears and head. Excessive tension results in chronic pain that can only be remedied once the source (meaning the jaw structure) is addressed. In addition to this pain, you may experience popping or clicking in the jaw as the bone attempts to function correctly. With the use of highly-precise custom splints, your disorder can be relieved and thus relieve the chronic pain associated with it.
Teeth Grinding
Bruxism, also known as teeth-grinding, occurs when excess stress is generated from rubbing your teeth together. This can happen at night while you are asleep, or even without thought due to stress or anxiety. The stress and strain caused by teeth grinding relates to many of the warning signs of this disorder, as this practice is what results in aching and pain. For more information about bruxism and how to manage your TMJ disorder, contact our office today.
Contact Our Office to Learn More
Contact Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at 817-236-7846 to learn how a custom splint may be utilized to help treat your case of TMJ disorder.
