How Does TMJ Really Affect You?

Posted by

Closeup portrait young woman with sensitive tooth ache crown problem about to cry from pain touching red area outside mouth with hand isolated grey background. Negative emotion face expression feelingWhile we actively take strides to ensure the health of our smiles with regular preventive care, we also understand that dental emergencies and other circumstances outside of our control may occur. For example, awaking with an aching jaw and serious headache is not a normal occurrence, and most individuals may not make the connection to it being related to an oral health concern. Disorders such as TMJ or Bruxism can be caused by a variety of factors, and your Fort Worth, TX orthodontist at Lake Country Orthodontics wants you to know how they really affect you and why you should seek assistance.

Aggressive Popping or Clicking

When you experience constant headaches when you awaken accompanied by painful popping or clicking, you may want to contact your orthodontist. Your discomfort may stem from bite misalignment caused by temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, which is an imbalance in your mouth’s joints and muscles. When your jaw is not properly aligned, the respective joints and muscles must work harder to accomplish basic functions such as biting, chewing, and even talking. If left untreated, this can lead to significant damage and inflammation in the joints. If you experience consistent popping or clicking in your jaw or chronic pain, it is imperative to contact your orthodontist immediately to seek treatment.

Difficulties in Function

Your temporomandibular joints are the two main connections at which your lower jaw hinges. When the balance has been disrupted, symptoms can arise that impact your bites function as well as your level of comfort. Such symptoms include untreatable headaches or migraines, chronic earaches, bruxism or uncontrollable teeth grinding, difficulty biting and chewing, and more. What’s more, without treatment, this disorder can cause significant damage to the joints and muscles that support your jaw, requiring much more extensive treatment to manage. In order to combat this disorder, your dentist will recommend the use of TMJ Therapy.

TMJ Therapy

While you may be experiencing this painful phenomenon, all hope is not lost, as TMJ therapy can be utilized to reposition the jaw, allowing the joints to heal and fall back into their proper position with the use of a splint. Not only does this procedure manage the pain associated with your TMJ disorder, but it also helps you avoid more serious dental issues such as excessively worn-down teeth in the future. Our Orthodontist will create a custom-designed splint that takes the curvature of your jaw into account in order to provide the greatest level of comfort available. For more information, contact our team today.

Learn More Today

TMJ disorder can have a significant impact on your oral health, and the team at Lake Country Orthodontics is ready to help alleviate that. Contact our Fort Worth, TX office by calling 817-236-7846 to learn more about the process or schedule your visit today.