If you had muscle pain or a pinched nerve, who would you turn to? Most people would likely schedule a visit to their doctor’s office. However, if you are suffering from neck or shoulder pain or persistent headaches, you may actually want to call your dentist instead. Chances are, your discomfort may be connected to your temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Keep reading to discover why you should turn to a dentist for TMJ pain in Pittsburgh.
What Is TMJ/TMD?
The temporomandibular joint is the point where your jawbone connects to your upper skull near the ear. These two joints (one on either side of your head) allow you to chew, speak, laugh, and yawn. Problems related to the muscles, bones, and facial nerves around this joint are collectively known as temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. Common TMD symptoms include:
- Pain spreading behind the eyes, in the face, shoulder, neck, or back
- Swelling on either side of the face
- Persistent headaches
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Limited mouth motions
- Hearing difficulty or ringing ears
- Dizziness and vision problems
- Clenching or grinding of the teeth
- Tooth sensitivity
- Light sensitivity
What Causes TMD?
According to the American Association of Family Physicians, TMD affects up to 15% of adults – that’s over 35 MILLION people! However, even though TMD is quite common, determining the root cause of the disorder is complex. Your jaw pain may be due to one or more of the following factors:
- Unconscious teeth grinding during sleep (aka bruxism)
- Missing teeth that cause a misaligned bite
- Dental infection that is neglected and allowed to spread
- Arthritis around the temporomandibular joints
- Physical injury to the temporomandibular joints
How a Dentist Can Help
Oral health is about more than just your teeth and gums. Your mouth is part of a system, and dentists are educated to diagnose and treat all sorts of issues related to that system. In fact, some dentists even go on to pursue advanced training in neuromuscular dentistry. So, if you’re dealing with persistent jaw pain, don’t hesitate to reach out to your dentist about TMJ treatment in Pittsburgh.
If your dentist determines that you are grinding your teeth at night, they may recommend you wear a NTI-tss splint. This is a custom-made nightguard that fits over the teeth and places a barrier between them so they can’t grind together. This type of oral appliance also shifts the jaw into a more relaxed position, reducing muscle tension and eventually relieving pain.
Don’t let face and jaw pain be a major drag on your quality of life! Talk to an experienced dentist to learn if TMJ treatment can help alleviate your discomfort.
About the Author
Dr. Joyce Warwick has over 30 years of experience helping patients overcome problems related to the temporomandibular joint. She utilizes Tekscan technology to create highly detailed digital readings of patients’ biting force and pinpoint dysfunctional areas. To learn more about TMJ therapy in Pittsburgh, visit the Warwick Dentistry website or call 412-391-1130.