You had a rough time sleeping one night, and when you woke up, you immediately understood why. Your jaw ached! Sleepy soreness can happen from time to time, so maybe you wrote it off as the result of an unfortunate neck position. But if you’ve experienced this rude awakening for days on end now, you’re probably starting to doubt that theory.
Although the neck, upper back, and shoulder areas are tightly connected and can cause pain in your face, odds are in this situation, the real problem is your TMJ. What’s a TMJ, and what can you do about it? Keep reading to find out.
What is My TMJ?
“TMJ” is short for your “temporomandibular joint”. You might also see the abbreviation “TMD”, which simply stands for “temporomandibular disorder”. This joint is located towards the back of your jawbone, right around your ear canal. Similar to how your knee and elbow joints let you bend at those areas, your TMJ allows your jaw to open and close.
Why Do I Have This Disorder?
Professionals aren’t really sure what causes TMD, but they have identified a few factors that can contribute to the problem, including:
- Grinding your teeth (a.k.a. “bruxism”)
- Sleep apnea complications
- A misaligned bite or teeth
- Injury
When your TMJ experiences excess pressure or is not in the best position, it can transfer the physical stress to nearby muscle groups – such as your jaw. This line of communication is a two-way street, though. As you can see, physical stress can originate in other areas but will sometimes put the most strain on that all-important skeletal hinge.
How Can My Dentist Help?
Fortunately, you’re not out of luck! There are many possible ways to treat TMD, and believe it or not, your dentist can offer many of them. For example:
- Occlusal splints are oral appliances that resemble clear aligners or a mouthguard. They’re great for mitigating teeth grinding effects and can, in some cases, reposition your jaw if necessary.
- Equilibrations/occlusal adjustments can solve bite misalignments through small dental tweaks. After your dentist removes a tiny bit of enamel or places dental restorations in key locations, your bite will rest better, alleviate the awkward strain on your TMJ.
- BOTOX injections are probably not something you expected to see on this list. However, when administered to overactive jaw muscles, BOTOX can ease tension, help reduce teeth grinding impulses, and chisel out your jawline to boot.
To determine which treatment option will work best for you, you’ll have to consult with your friendly-neighborhood dentist. After evaluating your situation and identifying the root cause of your TMJ complications, they’ll be able to let you know what’s going on and how the two of you can tackle the problem. Don’t forget to give them a call so you can have a much gentler start to your mornings!
About the Practice
At Exceptional Dentistry, we’re proud to have three experienced dentists on staff who are dedicated to improving their patients’ comfort. To treat TMJ disorders, we offer occlusal splint, equilibrations/occlusal adjustment, and BOTOX services. If you’re experiencing chronic jaw pain, give our office a call at 301-460-3331. We’ll help you alleviate your discomfort so you can get back to life as usual!