Kingston TN
TMJ disorder is a common condition impacting nearly 10 million adults in the U.S. But unfortunately, many more people suffer in silence and only end up masking their pain or discomfort with medication or are misdiagnosed as having other chronic conditions. If you deal with chronic pain or headaches or have been brushed off by your doctor as having imaginary pain, then you might be one of the individuals suffering in silence. This condition affects women more so than men, according to the National Institute of Health, although anyone can develop gum disease from poor oral hygiene. However, getting to the source of your pain is the best way to seek effective treatment. Today on the blog, our TMJ dentist at LakeView Dental Arts shares five facts you won’t believe about TMJ disorder.
It can cause chronic headaches
Frequent headaches that don’t seem to respond to over-the-counter pain relievers may be linked to TMJ disorder. How does this happen? TMJ disorder results from tension and stress in the jaw joints, which causes inflammation, reduced blood flow, and nerve pain. A primary nerve called the trigeminal nerve connects from the lower jaw, through the jaw joints, around the head, and to the spinal column. Therefore, TMJ disorder aggravates this nerve, sending pain signals to the head, neck, and even to the arms and hands.
It can lead to dental pain
Healthy teeth and gum tissue should not hurt. If it does, there most certainly is a cause. TMJ disorder can sometimes cause dental pain or toothaches due to an uneven bite or jaw tension that sends pain signals to your teeth. Therefore, what you think could be a problem tooth could stem from your jaw joints as a result of untreated TMJ disorder. If you experience dental pain or ongoing toothaches, you should schedule an exam with the dentist to rule out any oral diseases that could lead to poor oral health conditions. Additionally, consider requesting a TMJ evaluation in Kingston at LakeView Dental Arts.
It may cause your ears to ring
Tinnitus, as it is called, is constant ringing in the ears. This disorder can be caused by a variety of things, and TMJ disorder is one of them. Tinnitus occurs in cases of TMJ disorder because of the inflammation in the jaw joint, which affects the eardrum’s ability to remain stable, leading to pain or noise like a constant ringing. If you experience ringing in the ears or ear pain, you should consult with a Kingston TMJ dentist to see if you could have TMJ disorder.
It has been linked to Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is classified as widespread pain and tenderness that can also lead to fatigue, mood swings, and memory issues. Additionally, people with Fibromyalgia are more likely to experience other types of chronic pain, like TMJ disorder. And managing both conditions is the best way to control your discomfort and experience the most effective results from your treatment.
You don’t have to have surgery
A common assumption is that surgery to realign the jaw is the only way to treat TMJ disorder long-term. However, that is not always the case for most individuals with this disorder. At LakeView Dental Arts we combine several treatments to manage TMJD. One of the most effective ways to manage TMJ disorder is with a custom oral orthotic that is worn at night to gently hold the jaw in proper alignment, and release tense jaw muscles. We also offer other therapies that do not rely on medication so that you can live your life to the fullest every day without being dependent on pain pills.
TMJ Disorder Treatment in Kingston, Tennessee
If you believe that you could have TMJ disorder, request a consultation with LakeView Dental Arts today. Through a comfortable and relaxing assessment, we can determine if you suffer from this disorder and develop a treatment plan that is right for you. Therefore, if you’d like to explore more about natural remedies for TMJ disorder or want to find out how to treat TMJ disorder without surgery, call LakeView Dental Arts at (865) 248-2199.
