One of the most frequent medical complaints among individuals is neck pain and headaches. If you ignore these issues frequently, it might result in stress or even the negative effects of spending countless hours hunched over computers and phones. These things can certainly cause or contribute to headaches, neck discomfort, and shoulder aches, but they are not the sole culprits. In fact, your mouth is the source of a second cause of persistent headaches, neck discomfort, and shoulder pain.
What is TMJ?
TMJ is a very common cause of pain and discomfort. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, often known as TMJ, is a condition that affects around 10 million people around the globe. TMJ is named for the joints that link your lower jaw to your skull. TMJ develops when these joints become irritated and swollen; this can happen occasionally after trauma, but more frequently due to other factors like:
- Tooth alignment issues
- A lack of teeth
- Worn-out or uneven teeth
- Behaviors of clenching or grinding
- Arthritis
Risk of Developing TMJ Disorders
You might have pain in your jaw muscles, ears, head, and neck. When opening or closing your mouth, you can hear a clicking, popping, or grating sound. In certain circumstances, your jaw may even lock into an open or closed posture.
Anyone can develop difficulties from a TMJ disorder, but there are a number of things that make you more likely to do so, including:
- Gender: Women are much more likely than men to develop a TMJ issue.
- Age: While arthritis can cause the illness, which normally affects older people, the most prevalent age range for development is 18 to 44.
- Damage to the jaw: The TMJ may have been harmed or stressed by a prior facial or oral injury.
- Disorders of the connective tissues: There are some connective tissue diseases that can affect the temporomandibular joint.
- Genetics: The issue may emerge as a result of your family history. A higher risk exists in people who are genetically prone to chronic stress, inflammation, or the condition itself.
- Chronic pain: Individuals who suffer from other chronic pain diseases, such as migraines or lower back pain, are more prone to get TMJ disorders.
- Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, in particular, are associated with the condition.
- Bruxism: Long-term tooth grinding or clenching has been linked to TMJ disorders.
Symptoms Of TMJ
Because muscles are connected, dysfunction can spread quickly and affect your lower back. However, as TMDs often begin around or near the jaw, you should see if you are experiencing any facial pain.
Even if you have TMJ, you might not experience pain unless you move your jaw. Move your jaw from side to side while stretching it. If you experience pain, you might have TMD. Keep an eye out for the usual signs and symptoms as well.
This is a more thorough list of TMJ symptoms. A TMJ dysfunction may be the root of your neck and shoulder pain as well as your TMJ symptoms.
Treating Neck and Shoulder Pain Caused by TMJ
When dealing with this problem, standard neck, and shoulder pain therapies may not be successful because they do not address the underlying problem in the jaw joint. It is crucial to have a specialist of TMJ in Kissimmee evaluate and treat the underlying problem due to the complicated interplay between the condition and surrounding nerves, tendons, and muscles.
The following are effective treatments for this particular disorder:
- Dental equipment designed specifically to treat TMJ
- Physical exercise
- Compresses for the hot and cold
- Medicines that reduce inflammation and muscle relaxants
- Low-dose depression medications
- Biofeedback and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Recommendations for the right complementary healthcare specialists to address the underlying contributing causes.
Find A Dentist In Kissimmee
Make an appointment with a dentist near you for an examination. They will check your bite balance and your jaw joint function in order to help you start feeling better. Make an appointment online right away here at Smile 101 to learn more about TMJ near you and to arrange your own examination.