How can TMJ issues affect your day-to-day life? Your jaw function is controlled by your trigeminal nerve; in addition to moving your jaw, the trigeminal nerve is responsible for sensations you feel in your face, neck, and head. When your TMJs (your jaw joints) develop problems, those problems can lead to pain throughout your face, neck, and head. Do you suffer from chronic headaches? The problem could be rooted in TMJ problems. Your dentist can offer you a special appliance that realigns your jaw, relieving your of your discomfort.
Different Ways TMJ Issues Can Complicate Your Oral Health, And Your Life
One problem common among sufferers of TMJ issues is trouble with biting, chewing, and speaking. To put it simply, you may not be able to move your jaw as freely as you would like, and that movement may cause you to suffer pain. This can turn a simple meal into a frustrating experience. You can also suffer other frustrating discomforts.
Dental Damage From Teeth Grinding? Your Dentist Can Help
Not everyone with TMJ problems will exhibit this habit, but many sufferers will be frequent teeth grinders. If you tend to clench your jaw, particularly at night, you could be putting further strain on your jaw joints, while also damaging your teeth. If you have already suffered real damage from this, restorative dental work may be in order. Some individuals will grind their teeth with so much force that they actually break a tooth, and that damage can make a dental crown necessary.