TMJ disorder is caused by temporomandibular joint dysfunction, which connects the lower jaw to the skull. What causes these joints to become dysfunctional? This question is a little more complicated to answer because there are several factors at play. Here's what might be causing your pain if you have a TMJ disorder.
Clenching or grinding of the teeth
Many people believe that stress is the primary cause of
TMJ disorder but this is only partly true. Although stress does not cause pain in the temporomandibular joints, it does cause muscle tension throughout the body, which causes many people to clench their jaws or grind their teeth at night. Clenching and grinding put a lot of strain on the joints and teeth, which can eventually lead to TMJ disorder.
Naturally, telling a patient to reduce their stress levels is easier said than done; while we encourage you to make lifestyle changes, we also offer solutions that relieve your immediate pain and prevent the nighttime teeth grinding and jaw clenching that is causing your TMJ disorder.
Joint Injuries
An injury to the joint or jaw is another common cause of TMJ disorder. An injury to the muscles that surround the temporomandibular joints can also cause pain. A blow to the head or an accident can cause the disc between the ball and socket of the joint to dislocate, or the jaw to move out of proper alignment, paving the way for chronic pain.
In the case of an injury, pain may resolve on its own as the body heals from the trauma. Other times, the injury is permanent and must be treated to provide you with long-term relief. We provide cutting-edge treatment protocols to help you avoid invasive surgeries on the injured joint.
Arthritis
The temporomandibular joints, like other joints in the body, can be affected by arthritis. Both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can affect the TMJ, causing one or both joints to gradually deteriorate over time. Because arthritis is a degenerative disease, we don't expect the symptoms to go away or improve without medical intervention.
At
My Affordable Dentist Near Me, we treat TMJ disorder holistically caused by arthritis. We will work with your doctor or rheumatologist to address the underlying cause of your pain while also providing relief for your immediate symptoms. Our dentists have a network of specialists who can help you improve your overall health while also providing long-term relief for your TMJ pain.
Spinal Misalignment
There is no such thing as a separate part of the body, and the TMJ is no exception. Jaw muscles collaborate with neck muscles, and the neck connects to the shoulders and spine—if one of these is out of balance, the entire system is out of balance. Our dentists evaluate your teeth, bite, temporomandibular joints, neck, and spine muscles when you come to My Affordable Dentist Near Me for a consultation. We can help you recover from TMJ disorder by correcting any imbalances. Please inquire about the other providers in our wellness center who treat posture.
Learn More About TMJ Disorder's Causes
If you have TMJ disorder and would like to meet our specialists at
My Affordable Dentist Near Me, book an appointment today.