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How Jaw Joint Misalignment Affects the Head, Face and Body
St. Louis, Missouri
The jaw joints are used hundreds of times each day for actions like talking, chewing and yawning. If those joints are misaligned, you are continually creating muscle strain as the lower jaw moves incorrectly against the upper jaw.
The name for misaligned jaw joints is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD) and it has many painful symptoms. It can cause problems throughout the upper body, not just within the mouth or jaw area.
TMD Symptoms in the Body
- Headaches
- Pain behind the eyes
- Earaches
- Pain in the shoulders, neck, and back
- Tingling in the hands and fingers
Many people believe their upper body tension is caused by stress, anxiety or bad posture. It may be, but what is causing the stress, anxiety or bad posture? Most Americans who suffer from TMD are unaware of having it and have never thought of visiting a dentist for pain relief.
It is common for adults to grind or clench their teeth in their sleep. The friction of grinding can cause damage and wear on your teeth and clenching your teeth can put as much as 300 pounds of pressure on them, causing more damage as well as fatigue and inflammation in the jaw muscles.
It is not unusual for Dr. Quigless to see patients who regularly grind or clench their teeth and also complain about headaches, neck stiffness, tense shoulders and ear pain. The strain and tension of TMD aggravates other parts of the body, leading to pain in areas that are seemingly unrelated to any dental problem.
The TMD Solution
Proper jaw joint alignment is important in the way your head, face and body inter-relate. When your jaw joints are aligned correctly, the lower jaw moves correctly and your face and neck muscles can work together without pain.
A neuromuscular dentist understands the connection between your body and your jaw joint alignment. Dr. Quigless can examine your teeth, bite and jaw muscles to diagnose any TMD you may be suffering from. If your symptoms turn out not to have a dental cause, you will be a step ahead in knowledge and can seek other medical diagnosis. Once your condition is accurately diagnosed, the painful symptoms can be removed by treating their cause.
You can read more on our TMD Questions page.
To schedule your complimentary consultation please call or email our neuromuscular dentistry office today. We serve the entire St. Louis, Missouri area.
(314) 244-3751
Contact Us
8083 Manchester Rd.
St. Louis, MO 63144
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