Have you noticed that you’ve had a lot of jaw pain lately but can’t figure out why? Nothing has happened physically, but you can’t shake this dull headache, and life hasn’t changed enough for there to be a cause for this pain. Unfortunately, it may be time for a trip to the dentist because you may have TMJ disorder.
TMJ disorders are problems with the jaw joint. A problem with the muscles or joints in your jaw can lead to headaches, dizziness, ear pain, bite problems, jaw pain and much more. There are several conditions that can end up causing TMJ:
Bruxism, or teeth grinding and clenching. Sufferers of bruxism often wake up with jaw or ear pain. This is due to wear on the cartilage lining of the temporomandibular joint.
Gum chewing or nail biting. Using your teeth as tools is going to eventually damage your teeth, but when it begins to affect your TMJ, it may be time to break this terrible habit.
Malocclusion, or the misalignment of teeth. Some people find it hard to chew on a certain side of their teeth due to misalignment, so they habitually chew on the other side causing excess stress on that side of the jaw.
Previous jaw fractures or injury. There are times that pain take longer to present themselves, especially when the injury happens from an accident and we are left in shock. Take the time to make mental notes of changes after a trauma.
If you feel like you’re experiencing any of these symptoms and think you may have a TMJ disorder, contact your dental professional so they may evaluate your symptoms and help alleviate your pain.
For more information about TMJ disorder, call Dr. Pliev in Ottawa, ON at 613-235-5348 or visit www.ottawadentistryonkent.com.
Dr. Konstantin Pliev proudly serve patients from Ottawa and all surrounding areas.