Your jaw aches pretty frequently. Still, perhaps you consider this a minor inconvenience. After all, it’s not like your tooth fell out or your gums are bleeding or anything dramatic like that. Plus, joints get sore sometimes. A tender jaw hardly raises alarm bells!
While it’s hard to blame you for this line of thinking, it’s possible you have an untreated TMJ disorder. Without proper care, this can create problems that are anything but minor. Here’s why you might want to get your jaw pain looked at and your TMJ disorder treated.
Chronic Pain
When you have sore muscles or joints, rest and a cold compress are usually effective treatments, but why? Because you took care of the underlying issue. When you have a TMJ disorder, a sensitive jaw is only a symptom – the underlying problem is often that your temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is out of alignment.
Unless you treat this condition, your body will likely continue to send pain signals in an attempt to warn you something’s wrong, and your discomfort could very well become chronic.
Worsening Symptoms
On a similar note, what typically happens if you continue to strain sore muscles? They start to hurt more, and in severe cases, you could wind up with lasting damage. If you don’t treat your TMJ disorder, not only could you develop chronic pain, but you’ll also start to experience worsening symptoms, such as:
- Insomnia due to prolonged discomfort
- Airway blockage from poor facial structure
- Malnourishment when your ability to chew effectively is impaired
- Joint damage from chronic strain
- Increased risk of irritability, depression, and anxiety
Basically, TMJ disorders don’t go away on their own, and as your symptoms continue, they’ll create more and more problems.
How Your Dentist Can Help
It might seem strange to go to your dentist for help with a joint that’s located near your jaw, but some dentists can treat TMJ disorders! Depending on your case, this might look like:
- Combining multiple treatments into a BioRejuvenation dentistry plan. Your dentist might recommend TMJ physical therapy, restorative care, and consulting with local specialists, for example.
- Using an oral appliance, such as Homeoblock, to reduce the stress on your TMJ or even shift its alignment into a more favorable position.
The dentists who offer these services often have advanced knowledge related to jaw structure, so you can be rest assured you’ll receive quality care for your TMJ treatment. Remember that it’s best to seek help sooner than later, otherwise the problem could become more complicated. Plus, the sooner you start, the sooner you’ll be able to enjoy life pain-free!
About the Author
Dr. Steve Cha earned his dental degree from the Loma Linda University School of Dentistry, and has certifications from both the American Orthodontic Society and the Advanced Dental Implant Research & Education Center. As a dentist with over 20 years in the field, you can trust him to provide an accurate diagnosis and effectively treat your TMJ disorder. To contact Dr. Cha’s office, call 972-529-1800.