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JAW PROBLEMS & HEADACHES

JAW PROBLEMS & HEADACHES

The temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to the bones of your skull and moves your jaw up and down. It is fairly common to have problems with this joint (known as temporomandibular disorder or TMD) and this can cause a number of different symptoms including:

  • Pain in the jaw, cheek, temple, neck and back
  • Headaches
  • Locking of the jaw
  • Clicking or popping
  • Problems when chewing
  • Earache

The possible causes of TMD include:

  • Bruxism (teeth grinding or clenching)
  • Wear and tear or injury to the jaw joint
  • Stress
  • A misaligned bite

To diagnose TMD, your dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth and carry out a medical evaluation. They may also take x-rays to check your jaw joint and see how your teeth bite together.

Treatment options

Splints – these are worn to move the lower jaw forward and usually stay in place for 24 hours a day. They can help relax the muscles, protect the teeth and adjust how the teeth fit together.

Night guards – these are made from a flexible material and are similar to sports guards. They are specially made from impressions taken of your teeth, so they fit securely and comfortably.

In-ear device – this is an innovative and discreet device worn in the ear canal to help keep the jaw in an open position.

Psychological treatments – these can be used to treat underlying psychological problems, such as stress and anxiety, which may be a cause of teeth grinding. These include cognitive behavioural therapy and other stress management techniques such as yoga, massage and deep breathing.

Medication – anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help reduce pain and swelling. Muscle relaxants can loosen tight muscles and anti-anxiety medicine can help relieve the stress can lead to teeth grinding and clenching.

Surgery – this may be considered if other forms of treatment are unsuccessful.

Make sure you attend regular check-ups, so your dentist can swiftly pick up any signs of tooth wear and check the alignment of your jaws.

What is dental occlusion?

Dental occlusion is another name for the way your teeth meet when your jaws bite together.

What is TMJ?

image001The letters TMJ are short for of ‘temporo-mandibular joint’, which is the joint connecting your lower jaw and your skull.  The movement in this joint lets you open and close your mouth and chew from side to side.

What kind of problems might I have?

If your teeth don’t fit together properly, you can have problems not only in your teeth themselves, but also the gums, the temporo-mandibular joint or the muscles that move your jaw.  These problems are called ‘occlusal’ problems.

 

Teeth

Teeth that are out of line, heavily worn or constantly breaking, fillings that fracture or crowns that work loose may all be signs of occlusal problems.  Your teeth may also be tender to bite on or may ache constantly.

Gums

Loose teeth or receding gums can be made worse by a faulty bite.

TMJ

Clicking, grinding or pain in your jaw joints, ringing or buzzing in your ears and difficulty in opening or closing your mouth could all be due to your teeth not meeting each other properly.

Muscles

If your jaw is in the wrong position, the muscles that move the jaw have to work a lot harder and can get tired.  This leads to muscle spasm. The main symptoms are continual headaches or migraine, especially first thing in the morning; pain behind your eyes; sinus pain and pains in your neck and shoulders.  Sometimes even back muscles are involved.

How can I tell if I have a problem?

image003You may find that you clench or grind your teeth, although most people who do aren’t aware of it. Sometimes can be caused by anxiety, but generally most people clench their teeth when they are concentrating on a task – housework, gardening, car mechanics, typing and so on.

You may wake up in the morning with a stiff jaw or tenderness when you bite together. This could be due to clenching or grinding your teeth in your sleep.  Most people who grind their teeth do it while they are asleep and may not know they are doing it.

If you suffer from severe headaches, or neck and shoulder pain, you may not have linked this with possible jaw problems. Or you may keep having pain or discomfort on the side of your face around your ears or jaw joints or difficulty in moving your jaw. These are all symptoms of TMJ problems.

If you are missing some teeth at the back of your mouth, this may lead to an unbalanced bite, which can cause uneven pressure on your teeth.

Together, all these symptoms are called ‘TMJ syndrome’.

How are occlusal problems treated?

image005See your dentist.  He or she may be able to help you or may refer you to a specialist who deals with occlusal problems.

Depending on the problems you are having, it can be possible to spot the signs of an occlusal problem.  Various muscles may be sore when tested, or the broken and worn areas of your teeth will show you are grinding your teeth – a common sign of an incorrect bite.

If your dentist suspects that your problems are due to an incorrect bite, he or she may help to diagnose the problem by supplying a temporary soft nightguard or hard plastic appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth.  This appliance needs to be measured and fitted very accurately so that when you bite on it, all your teeth meet at exactly the same time in a position where your muscles are relaxed.  You may have to wear this all the time or, just at night.  If the appliance relieves your symptoms then your bite may need to be corrected permanently.

Tooth Adjustment (equilibration)

image007

Your teeth may need to be carefully adjusted to meet evenly.  Changing the direction and position of the slopes that guide your teeth together can often help to reposition the jaw.

Replacement of teeth

The temporo-mandibular joint needs equal support from both sides of both jaws.  The chewing action is designed to work properly only when all your teeth are present and in the correct position.  Missing teeth may need to be replaced either with a partial denture or bridgework.

Replacement is not usually done until a diagnosis has been confirmed by using an appliance and this has fully relieved the symptoms.  Relief in some patients is instant: in others it can take a long time.

Medication

Some drugs can help in certain cases, but this is usually only temporary.  Hormone replacement therapy may also help some women.

Diet and Exercise

As with any joint pain, it can help to put less stress on the joint.  So a soft diet can be helpful, as can Corrective exercises and external heat.  Physiotherapy exercises can often help, and your dentist may be able to show some of these to you.

Relaxation

Counselling and relaxation therapy may help in some cases.  These techniques help the patient to become more aware of stressful situations and to control tension.

Will straightening my teeth help?

If your teeth are too far out of line or in a totally incorrect bite position, it may be necessary to fit an orthodontic appliance to move them into a better position.

How many people suffer from these problems?

image009Up to 1 in 4 people may have some symptoms.  Both men and women are affected equally, although women tend to seek treatment more often than men.  The symptoms can often start with the menopause or other hormonal changes.

Many people have imperfect occlusion and missing teeth, yet never have symptoms because they adjust to their problems.  Occasionally, in times of increased stress and tension, the symptoms may appear and then go away immediately.  Or, your teeth and gums may be affected straight away and instead of headaches, you may suffer:

  • flattened, worn teeth
  • broken teeth, fillings and crowns
  • loose teeth
  • continual sensitivity of your teeth to temperature change
  • toothache with no apparent cause.

If you think you have any of these problems, ask your dentist.

OPENING HOURS
Monday to Friday 8.30am to 12.30pm & 1.30pm to 4.30pm
No surgery available on Wednesday but hygienist available
Phone: 020 8478 1431
Fax: 020 8478 1531
620 Romford Road
London, E12 5AQ