Royal Oak and Birmingham, MI
Temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, disorder is known to affect nearly 10 million people in the United States, impacting women more than men, according to the National Health Institute. The disorder often presents noticeable popping and clicking sounds when opening and closing the jaw, along with pain that is sometimes intermittent or chronic. Unfortunately, many general practitioners misdiagnose patients as having other conditions and end up medicating them with pain relievers to reduce pain and inflammation. However, a TMJ dentist can diagnose and treat this disorder without long-term use of medication or invasive treatments. Today on the blog, find out five facts you can’t ignore about TMJ disorder so that you can get a proper diagnosis and the treatment that you deserve.
It can cause chronic headaches
Most people experience headaches from time to time, which can be normal. However, chronic headaches or headaches that are difficult to manage may be a sign of something more serious, like TMJ disorder. The reason TMJ disorder causes chronic headaches is because the trigeminal nerve. This crucial neural pathway connects from the spinal column, around the skull, and into the upper and lower jaws. It’s also located close to the temporomandibular joint itself. The trigeminal nerve can radiate pain into the head, neck or even the back if TMJ disorder goes untreated. Additionally, inflammation and restricted blood flow often occur in TMJ cases, which may lead to vasoconstriction in the blood vessels of the brain, causing chronic headaches that are unresponsive to medication.
It can cause toothaches or dental pain
Toothaches or dental pain are common complaints from people experiencing TMJ disorder. That’s because TMJ disorder can often manifest from an uneven bite, crooked teeth or missing teeth, which puts additional pressure on existing teeth, leading to tooth sensitivity or even toothaches. In some cases, TMJ disorder can be relieved by rebuilding the patient’s bite, restoring missing or damaged teeth, and establishing an even biting pattern.
It can make your ears ring
Chronic ear ringing is known as tinnitus, which can be an annoying condition that even leads to depression. For the same reason TMJ disorder may cause headaches or dental pain, chronic inflammation, and reduced blood flow to the jaw joints, which can affect the eustachian tube, causing damage or constant ringing sounds.
It has been linked to Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is classified as widespread pain or tenderness throughout the body. It’s a common condition that affects women more than men and could be related to TMJ disorder. Since TMJ disorder directly impacts one of the most prominent nerves in the body, the trigeminal, it’s no wonder that it could send pain signals and cause other imbalances throughout the body. Therefore, if you have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia, it’s essential to see a TMJ dentist near Detroit for an evaluation.
Surgery isn’t always required if you have TMJ disorder
A TMJ dentist in Royal Oak, like Dr. Nancy Hartrick, can prescribe a custom oral orthotic to relieve TMJ disorder and its related symptoms without the need for surgery. While there may be some severe cases that respond best to surgical interventions, you should talk to Dr. Hartrick about an oral appliance to treat your TMJ disorder before resorting to extensive treatments.
TMJ Disorder Treatment in Royal Oak and Birmingham, Michigan
If you suffer from chronic headaches or other symptoms of TMJ disorder, contact Hartrick Dentistry by calling (248) 549-0950 or visit our website to schedule a consultation. You can learn more about non-invasive TMJ treatment or how to treat TMJ disorder without surgery.