In most cases, any form of dental discomfort can indicate a potentially serious problem with your oral health. If it’s a toothache, then you may immediately realize that your tooth is in trouble and needs attention from your dentist or oral health specialist. However, for symptoms like chronic jaw pain, the specific source of the discomfort and the likely cause behind it aren’t always so clear. As a common sign of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, chronic jaw pain can sometimes mean more than it seems, and addressing it could be a key to preserving your smile and healthy bite function.
A brief look at TMJ disorder
TMJ disorder is more common than you might realize, but it isn’t always the same for everyone who experiences it. The condition can describe a variety of different issues with one or both of your jaw’s joints, or temporomandibular joints. This may include damage to the joint tissue, a misalignment of the joint itself, inflammation, arthritis, or other factors that inhibit the joint’s proper and full motion. The damage to the TMJ can lead to increasing discomfort and difficulty when you bite and chew, and can negatively impact your bite’s ability to function properly.
What might happen along with jaw pain
The reason chronic jaw pain is a common symptom of TMJ disorder is because the disorder directly impacts your jaw’s joints and muscles. However, your bite’s function includes a complex network of oral structures that are in close proximity to your TMJs, including the dominant trigeminal nerve group. One or two dysfunctional TMJs can aggravate these nerves, leading to symptoms beyond jaw pain, such as:
- Chronic headaches and/or migraines
- Recurring pain and ringing in your ears
- A growing imbalance in your bite
- A subconscious tendency to grind your teeth
- And much more
How to find relief from TMJ disorder
Finding relief from TMJ disorder and its many different symptoms doesn’t have to be a complicated process, especially if you address the condition early. For many people who have TMJ disorder, appropriate treatment can include wearing a custom-designed oral appliance designed specifically to relive tension on your jaws when you sleep. This can remove much of the source of your TMJ disorder and allow your jaw to heal, restoring your bite function and alleviating your TMJ pain in a minimally invasive manner.
Learn more about what jaw pain might mean
Chronic jaw pain can be more than just annoying, and if it isn’t addressed promptly, the underlying problem could get much worse over time. To learn more, schedule a consultation by calling the Dental Centre of Conroe in Conroe, TX, today at (936) 441-4600. We serve patients from Conroe and all neighboring communities.
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