TMJ disorder, or temporomandibular joint disorder, isn’t as well-known as tooth decay and gum disease (the most common chronic dental health concerns). However, when it develops, the pain and discomfort can affect much more than just your teeth or gums. TMJs describe the two large joints that allow your lower jaw to move. A disorder in one or both of these joints can lead to trouble with your jaw’s movement, aggravation to your jaw’s nerves, and a host of chronic, increasingly worse aches and pains.
Chronic Aches and Pains
Because TMJs are part of your jaw’s anatomy, you might expect TMJ disorder to cause jaw pain. Yet, you might not expect chronic migraines, earaches, facial muscle soreness, and more can also result from the disorder. The nerves that control your jaw’s movement also innervate the rest of your head, face, and neck. When they’re aggravated, the group of nerves can cause discomfort throughout every area that they pass through.
Inhibited Bite Function
TMJ disorder can describe damage, inflammation, misalignment, tissue erosion, arthritis, and/or other dysfunctions with your jaw’s joints. In addition to chronic pain, this can inhibit your bite’s ability to function properly. You might notice a popping or clicking sensation when you open and close your bite, or increased difficulty opening or closing your bite fully.
Higher Dental Health Risks
When TMJ disorder prevents your jaw from sitting comfortably, the joints and muscles can spasm and shift as they try to compensate. This can lead to constant teeth-grinding (also known as bruxism), which increases your risks of experiencing tooth damage, decay, and/or misalignment.
Find Out How to Treat TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder affects your oral health and your bite’s function in several ways, which can have long-lasting effects on your overall quality of life. To learn more about how to treat it, schedule a consultation by calling Cedar Dental in Cedar Rapids, IA, today at (319) 364-7108. We also welcome patients from Mount Vernon, Iowa City, Hiawatha, and all nearby communities.
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