When you think of dental pain, a toothache might be the first thing that comes to mind. After all, sensitive teeth are among the most common symptoms of a number of different dental health issues. However, your teeth aren’t the only components of your oral health, and they aren’t the only things that can hurt when troubled. Jaw pain, a frequent sign of TMJ disorder, can make eating your food difficult, or make yawning uncomfortable. Jaw dysfunctions can also be accompanied by chronic migraines, earaches and ear-ringing, and sore, aching facial muscles, among many other symptoms.
What TMJ Disorder Means
TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder, affects the two joints that connect your lower jaw and skull. When your bite is imbalanced, or if you suffer an injury to your face, then the joints may be damaged from the injury or from the exertion of keeping your bite even. TMJ disorder might be difficult to diagnose if migraines and other ambiguous symptoms outweigh jaw pain. However, the nerve responsible for your jaw’s sensory information is also responsible for its movement. If you’re in the grips of TMJ disorder, then your symptoms may be exacerbated whenever you bite, chew, laugh, or clench your teeth together.
The Source of TMJ Pain
Your nervous system is comprised of your spinal column and 12 major cranial nerve groups. Cranial nerves account for about 80% of the total sensory input that your brain receives, and the largest of these (called the trigeminal nerves) innervate both sides of your jaw. When they’re disturbed by damaged, swollen, and/or misaligned jaw joints, the trigeminal nerves can transfer the pain throughout your oral/maxillofacial structures.
Treating TMJ Disorder at Your Dentist’s Office
Ignoring the discomfort of jaw pain won’t resolve it. If left untreated, TMJ disorder and its resulting discomfort will only grow worse. If diagnosed and treated early, TMJ disorder can usually be treated with a custom mouthguard designed to hold your jaw in a more comfortable position and alleviate pressure on its muscles and joints.
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