We all know that it’s important to look after our teeth and gums, but have you ever given any thought to taking care of your jaw? Jaw pain is more common than you may think. If you’ve been waking up with a stiff jaw or you’re prone to headaches, why not give us a call? We may just be able to help!
What causes jaw pain?
Pain is often part of a group of symptoms, which is related to TMJ disorder. The TMJ, or temporomandibular joint, is the joint that joins the skull to the lower jaw. This joint helps to control the movement of the jaw, and you can feel it working if you place your fingers on your face at the side of your ear lobes and open and close your mouth. TMJ disorder causes symptoms such as a restricted range of movement in the jaw, clicking and popping noises and discomfort.
In many cases, there is no clear cause of jaw pain, but accidents, injuries and grinding the teeth can all contribute. If you have jaw pain, we recommend making an appointment.
How we can help
If you do have symptoms of TMJ disorder, we may be able to help by identifying the cause and finding a solution. If you grind your teeth, for example, we may advise you to wear a bite guard. This is a custom-made appliance, which eliminates the risk of contact between the top and bottom sets of teeth while you are sleeping. It can be difficult to know if you grind your teeth, as it occurs during the night, but if your partner has suggested that you grind your teeth sometimes, it’s a good idea to seek advice.
If you have jaw pain, or you’ve noticed that your jaw feels stiffer than usual, don’t suffer in silence. It’s best to take action as soon as possible to eliminate pain and reduce the risk of further damage.
