As robust as our bodies are at times, they are also rather fragile. In order to move about freely each day, our bodies perform many thousands of invisible calculations so that our muscles and joints can move in unison without us falling on our faces! Indeed, some of these muscles are so small that when overused or abused, they can cause plenty of pain in other parts of the body.
When Your Jaw Is Working Overtime
Take the Temporomandibular joint, for example. This little hinged mechanism is part of the connection between your skull and your jawbone. One can imagine that this joint is used a lot! In fact, it operates every time we open and close our mouths, eat, talk, yawn, or laugh. This means that it is a highly durable and hardworking joint. The problem is that sometimes it can be the cause of pain and other problems.
Due to the location and operation of this joint, a number of issues can affect its smooth working, including a misalignment of the jaw and teeth, teeth grinding that often happens at night, and stress where the jaw is often clenched. Any of these problems can put extra pressure on this joint and can cause headaches, neck or shoulder pain, chewing problems, toothaches, and even earaches. The proximity of the Temporomandibular joint to these other areas can cause all sorts of symptoms. When one experiences this condition, a TMJ treatment plan is usually the best course of action!
Treatment Options
The good news is that TMJ treatment by a professional and experienced dentist can often fix these pains and problems. As teeth grinding is one of the most common causes of TMJ disorder, an experienced dentist can custom-fit a special oral device that helps to decrease the incidence of clenching and relieve the pressure on the joint.
If you think that you might be suffering from TMJ disorder or teeth grinding, call New Age Dental Care at 636-449-0215 and book an appointment today. You can connect with them on Facebook for more updates!
