If you’re bothered by persistent, unexplained pains from the shoulders up, you should look to your jaw.
As unlikely as it may sound, problems with headaches, shoulder pain, ear pain, neck pain, and many more can be caused by problems with your lower jaw. More specifically, where your lower jaw joins your head.
The temporomandibular joints (TMJ), located just in front of your ears, are often the cause of many physical problems. If the parts of one or both joints aren’t aligned correctly, you can experience a host of painful issues, including:
- unexplained headaches
- migraines
- ear pain
- neck pain
- jaw pain
- popping or cracking when the jaw is moved
- trouble opening and closing the jaw
- lockjaw
- shoulder pain
The condition is known as Temporomandibular Disorder, or TMD. TMD can severely decrease your quality of life due to chronic or recurring pain, problems with opening and closing your mouth, and headaches, which can range from mild to severe.
In addition to making your life miserable, TMD can also threaten the health of your teeth. TMD has been linked to bruxism (teeth clenching and grinding), which is classified as a neurological disorder.
Bruxism happens when your mind is preoccupied with other things like work or while sleeping. Grinding your teeth unconsciously will wear away your enamel, the hard covering of the teeth. That exposes the sensitive layers underneath. Bruxism can also lead to your teeth becoming chipped, fractured, flattened, or loose.
A Professional Diagnosis is Bes
At Contemporary Dentistry & Implantology, we care about the quality of our patients’ lives just as we care about the state of their teeth. There’s no need to live with pain or discomfort when professional treatment can help.
If you suspect you might have TMD and/or bruxism, call our Peabody, MA office immediately at 978-278-1760.
We’ll schedule an evaluation with Dr. Argeros, Dr. Plourde, or Dr. Sozanksi to determine whether you are suffering from TMD or bruxism.
We can help restore your quality of life with our TMD treatment.
During the examination, the doctor will also assess the state of your mouth to determine whether any damage has occurred due to teeth grinding or clenching. This is another reason not to put off calling us – the longer you wait, the greater the chance for painful damage to occur to your teeth. Putting off an examination means that any damage will cost more and take longer to repair.
Treatment Options
In many cases, a dental mouthguard is the solution for TMD and bruxism. The mouthguard is worn while you sleep and gently repositions the jaw while also protecting your teeth from damage due to grinding or clenching.
Don’t live with unexplained pain, headaches, jaw problems, or teeth problems any longer. Regain your quality of life and preserve your teeth by calling us today at 978-278-1760 to schedule an appointment. You can also send us a message using our convenient online form.
All of us at Contemporary Dentistry & Implantology look forward to helping you live without pain and enjoying your most beautiful smile.