Santa Cruz, Scotts Valley CA
At some point in your life, you probably will encounter jaw pain. If your jaw is hurting regularly or the pain becomes severe enough to impede your ability to function, then you could be suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder—or TMJ disorder, for short. Today on the blog, your neuromuscular dentist in Scotts Valley provides a list of some signs that may indicate whether the pain in your jaw could be a result of TMJ disorder.
The causes of jaw pain
Certain behavioral and lifestyle conditions that could cause jaw pain without being symptomatic of TMJ disorder.
These include:
Stress: If you have a high level of stress, this can lead you to clenching and grinding your teeth. Clinically known as bruxism, this grinding habit can occur when you are awake or, most commonly, while you sleep. Bruxism also can be a symptom, or a potential cause, of TMJ disorder, while also causing excessive wear and tear to your teeth.
Poor posture can lead to jaw pain. Your posture influences how your skull sits on top of the spinal column. This, consequently, can affect how you hold your jaw. Having poor posture also can make your jaw work harder than it needs to, which can lead to pain due to overwork.
Food choices also can contribute to jaw pain, especially if the foods you are eating require frequent, intense chewing.
All of the above can cause mild flare-ups of jaw pain, but if the pain does not pass quickly, it can be an indicator that TMJ disorder is present.
TMJ disorder and jaw pain
You should be seen by a neuromuscular dentist if your jaw pain is accompanied by other symptoms of TMJ disorder.
These symptoms can be wide-ranging and may include any combination of the following:
- Tingling in your extremities
- Stuffiness in the ears
- Limited range of motion in the jaws
- Feelings of dizziness or vertigo
- Difficulty chewing
- Tooth pain that seems to migrate to different locations in the mouth
- Hearing a popping or clicking sound as your jaws open and close
Although the symptoms of TMJ disorder can vary widely from case to case, one of the most frequently reported symptoms is some type of pain. This pain may manifest as headaches that feel like migraines, but do not respond to normal means of migraine treatment.
Remember that recurring or prolonged jaw pain is likely an indicator that you have TMJ. If you are consistently noting jaw soreness when you wake up or frequently feeling discomfort emanating from your jaw joints after you eat, then see your neuromuscular dentist today.
Diagnosis and treatment of TMJ disorder in Los Gatos, Scotts Valley and Santa Cruz in California
A neuromuscular dentist is the best-trained medical professional to diagnose TMJ, and treat the disorder and the symptoms caused by it—such as pain. Both Dr. Max and Dr. Ariana Ebrahimian have studied the advanced principles and techniques of neuromuscular dentistry at the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Global Studies. That gives them the expertise to identify and treat cases of TMJ disorder. If you or someone you love is experiencing jaw pain, schedule a consultation at Ebrahimian Integrative Dentistry today by calling (831) 438-4411.
