Your temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your lower jaw to your skull, and they’re arguably the most complex and most important joints in your whole body. That said, they’re unfortunately also susceptible to various issues that can greatly affect your quality of life if untreated—and if you’re suffering from chronic jaw pain in Boston, that might just be the start of your problems! Here’s more from your dentist about TMJ disorder, some of the observable symptoms, and how treatment options like Botox can be used to address the issue.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder is quite common—approximately 10 million Americans are affected by it! Patients who suffer from it often experience misalignment or deterioration of their joints due to the surrounding cartilage being worn and destroyed. This cartilage is crucial because it absorbs much of the tension that’s produced when you bite and chew.
Some common symptoms of TMJ disorder usually include:
- Jaw pain in one or both of your temporomandibular joints.
- Difficulty moving your jaw and opening/closing your mouth.
- Headaches, earaches, and even tinnitus (a constant ringing in your ears).
- Popping or clicking noises when you move your mouth or chew.
- Bruxism (grinding or clenching your teeth at night).
- Upper back pain, as your jaw muscles assist with head and neck alignment that influences the rest of your body.
The Risks of Untreated TMJ Disorder
Even though TMJ disorders aren’t necessarily life-threatening, they can still cause several issues that greatly impact your quality of life. Aside from the constant discomfort and tension in and around your jaw, it’s also possible for the affected joints to become inflamed, and there might even be damage to your teeth.
Additionally, many of the mentioned symptoms themselves that result from TMJ disorder can manifest into potentially serious issues. For instance, bruxism can continually wear down your enamel and compromise the very integrity of your teeth. In other cases, the issue can even lead to sleep apnea—which spells very bad news for your overall health!
How Your Dentist Can Help
Visiting your dentist is your first step to getting your jaw the help it needs. TMJ disorders can sometimes be difficult to diagnose; but using a combination of different tests and examinations, your provider can determine the cause of your jaw pain and provide you with an effective means of treatment.
One of the most effective ways of treating the issue is Botox; when Botox is injected, not only does it relieve the tension within your jaw muscles, but it also keeps them from moving in a way that causes extreme pain. Botox is also very effective for addressing TMJ issues that cause patients to experience severe headaches. It’s also worth mentioning that Botox is nonsurgical—which is very appealing to many patients!
If you’ve been recently suffering from pesky, chronic jaw pain, this TMJ Awareness Month (November) is the perfect opportunity to seek the treatment you need from your dentist.
About the Practice
The team at Devonshire Dental of Boston has proudly served patients and families in the Boston area for several years under the leadership of four experienced specialists: Dr. Dean Levy, Dr. Christa Rizkallah, Dr. Annie Amsalem, and Dr. Christine Melito. Their practice is thrilled to offer a wide range of services including TMJ therapy. If you have any questions about the article or are suffering from chronic jaw pain in Boston, don’t hesitate to contact the practice to set up an appointment: (617) 350-7474.