What Is Causing My Jaw Pain?

What Is Causing My Jaw Pain?

Are you suffering from jaw pain? While many people of all ages have painful or tender jaw joints from arthritis, auto accidents or even sinusjaw pain issues, the biggest cause is TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction. These noisy, grating, irritated ball and socket joints at the sides of the head afflict 15 million Americans, says the American Dental Association. Your Woodstock, GA, dentists at 1st Choice Dental Care take a special interest in TMD and offer sensible solutions for this often debilitating problem.

It's something of a mystery

If you present with symptoms of TMD, your dentist in Woodstock, GA, will perform an oral exam and take digital X-rays. Sometimes poor dental bite, repeated tooth grinding (bruxism) or even missing teeth and extensive tooth decay causes the jaw joints to throb, tighten, become stuck open or closed or make odd clicking or popping noises.

Other times, TMD is more nebulous, stemming from problems that really are "all in your head":

  • Chronic stress, anxiety and resulting muscle tension
  • Erosion of the disc-like condyle in the joint
  • Connective tissue disease

Whatever the reason behind your jaw pain, you need relief, and 1st Choice Dental Care can help. Your Woodstock, GA, dentist will sort through your symptoms and possible factors contributing to them.

Helps for TMD

Oral appliance therapy frequently helps people with TMD. Customized according to oral impressions, these thin acrylic mouth guards provide cushioning against the substantial physical stresses which often are placed on top and bottom teeth. Worn at night, oral appliances reduce the effects of bruxism and uneven dental occlusion (how teeth close together).

Additionally, your dentist may recommend dental crowns or other ways to alter the chewing surfaces of teeth so bite improves. More severe cases may require orthodontics. 1st Choice Dental Care offers selected patients clear acrylic aligners from Invisalign.

Finally, your dentist may suggest stress-reducing techniques, physical therapy and exercises which allow the jaws to operate properly. Massage and chiropractic care proves useful for some individuals as well.

Why wait?

If your jaw hurts, please don't suffer. At 1st Choice Dental Care, we can help. Why not contact us today for a consultation on your joint pain? We have three convenient offices: Woodstock, Kennesaw and Marrietta, GA. Call (678) 293-8773.