Chaparral Village Dental & Orthodontics
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27287 Nicolas Road Suite 104, Temecula, CA 92591
951-676-7200
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Jaw Tightness and Tension: What Does It Mean?
| Posted on September 8, 2019 at 1:37 AM |
comments (547)
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When you have tightness or tension in your jaw, it can be uncomfortable to say the least. You could be experiencing pain in your neck and throat as well as your jaw. You could also have trouble opening your mouth all the way, or it may even be impossible for you to do this. You may even have symptoms that don’t appear to have anything to do with your jaw, including headaches or ear infections. What does all this mean? Here are the top three things your jaw tightness and tension may be pointing to! Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Disorders You’ve likely heard of TMJ disorders, where a misalignment, trauma, or incorrect bite could result in jaw pain and odd sounds. People often experience clicking or popping noises when opening and closing their mouth in addition to headaches, jaw tightness, and even teeth grinding as a result of these conditions. These disorders can be very uncomfortable, but fortunately, your dentist may be able to help! Talk to your dentist about any jaw pain including any tension or tightness that you’re experiencing. He or she can perform a simple jaw exam to determine if your bite or your temporomandibular joint could be the problem. Stress or Anxiety Many people are taught to keep their emotions to themselves and deal with feelings such as anxiety or stress inwardly. This can lead to tension throughout the body, and you may experience this tension in your jaw muscles. When you’re under pressure or feeling stressed out, you may tighten your jaw in response to these stressors, leading to jaw tightness and tension. There are other ways to handle stress and anxiety rather than placing the pressure on your jaw or your muscles. This type of tension could lead to dull headaches or even intense migraines and can worsen your existing stress. Talk to your doctor or your dentist about healthy habits for handling stress rather than taking that tension in your jaw! Bruxism (Teeth Grinding) Do you know if you grind your teeth? Teeth grinding is a common habit that many people aren’t aware they have. Whether you grind your teeth in times of stress or even while sleeping, this could be the sneaky culprit behind your jaw tightness and tension. Bruxism is the technical name for teeth grinding, and bruxism can be extremely damaging to your teeth and put immense pressure on your jaw. If you grind your teeth at night, you may wake up with jaw pain, a dull headache, or even sore teeth and gums. Since bruxism puts so much pressure on your teeth, this can lead to chips and fractures, enamel erosion, and inflammation, all of which can increase your risk for tooth loss over time. Talk to your dentist about bruxism—he or she can perform an exam and determine if you’re exhibiting signs of teeth grinding that can benefit from treatment. You don’t have to live with jaw tightness and tension. These symptoms often point to a larger problem that can easily be addressed with your dentist. No one should have to live with pain, so talk to your dentist about your jaw aches and tension to see what’s causing it. There is treatment for bruxism, stress, and TMJ disorders! |
Dental occlusion/TMJ and general body health
| Posted on June 21, 2012 at 3:42 AM |
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During the treatment of symptoms originating from disorders of
the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) and occlusion, it was found that
restoring the TMJ to its normal condition resulted in a change of
general body health. In most cases, this change was for the better.
Owing to similar reports, a connection between TMJ status and general
body health was therefore hypothesised. However, the mechanism of this
relationship remains unclear. |
Researchers identify potential risk factors for TMD
| Posted on May 22, 2012 at 12:13 AM |
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Researchers have identified a list of characteristics they say will eventually help health professionals identify patients who are at risk of developing temporomandibular disorders, according to a report published recently in an issue of the NYSDA news. In following a large number of control individuals, as well as people reporting temporomandibular disorder pain, Richard Ohrbach, DDS, PhD, director of the Oral Diagnostic Sciences at the University of Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and a clinical psychologist, and other researchers found that a high rate of variables they assessed were associated with painful temporomandibular disorders. Some symptoms of themporomandibular disorders can include: • Pain in the chewing muscles or jaw joint; • Pain in the jaw, neck, or face; • Stiff jaw muscles; • A jaw that locks or has limited movement; • Painful clicking, popping, or grating in the jaw joint; and • Changes in the fit between upper and lower teeth. Temporomandibular disorders are estimated to affect more than 10 million Americans; women more so than men, according to the national Institutes of Health. Journal of the California Dental Association, March, 2012 |
TMD (2)
| Posted on December 16, 2011 at 9:47 PM |
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What causes TMJ dysfunction? We are all exposed to stresses in our environment. Let us call these external stresses. A typical reaction
to these stresses is muscle contraction: tight shoulders and neck,
bailed fists, and clenched jaws. If the jaws are habitually clenched,
due to a lot of stress, anxiety, and/or frustrations, and if the teeth
do not support the jaws properly, then the jaw joints become jammed and
overclosed, causing damage to the joints. This may occur with totally
natural teeth, (even in teenagers), with partially natural plus some
false teeth; with full dentures. External jaw muscles Usually
the disc in the joint is pushed forward, the back ligament of the disc
becomes stretched and inflamed, and the knobs (condyles) in the joint
make the displaced disc pop or crunch when the jaw is opened and closed.
After many years of this, there may be arthritic changes in the joint, a
one-way degenerative process. This damage to the TMJs, and the
associated muscle spasm, causes pain, not only in the joints themselves,
but through muscle spasms in other parts of the body, resulting in many
of the symptoms listed above. The pain syndromes then cause, in
addition to the external stress, internal stress which further saps the
body and spirit of energy.
If the suffering patient could permanently relax and not
clench his/her jaws, the symptoms related to TMJ dysfunction would
disappear. The Real Answer, however, is to find that position of
the lower jaw, using the Myomonitor, or other suitable procedures, where
all jaw muscles can clench and contract in balanced harmony without
jamming, overloading and damaging the jaw joints, and pressing
adversely on bones of the skull. A specially-trained and experienced dentist can help to diagnose and
measure the muscle spasm and joint damage. He can begin the treatment of
TMJ disorder by repositioning the lower jaw with a carefullyfitted
plastic bite splint to allow the damaged joints to heal. Improper nutrition, as well as excessive consumption of
"junk food", and lack of adequate vitamins and minerals can cause
considerable additional internal stress and thus contribute to TMJ
disorders. A nutritional analysis to establish the individual's
nutritional profiles and needs goes a long way toward relieving stress
of TMJ origin. Only after orthopedic repositioning of the lower jaw and
relieving over-loaded jaw joints, and after eliminating stressful eating
habits, should we consider Biofeedback training and relaxation
methods. Unless structural changes are made, as soon as a stressful
experience reoccurs, the still unbalanced and unsupported jaws will be
clenched and the TMJs will be overloaded again. The cooperation of various health-care providers in
achieving a balance between mind, body structure and body chemistry may
lead to a healthier, happier and more productive life. Elimination of TMJ dysfunction plays a key role in achieving this goal. (By R.L. Bubenzer, DDS, FAGD) |
TMD (1)
| Posted on December 6, 2011 at 3:40 PM |
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TMD (TMJ disorder) is a series of signs and symptoms associated with the Temporal mandibular joints, which include:
TMJ disorders and their associated pain consequences are being
recognized more and more by the prevention-oriented health care
providers. These disorders are fre quently discussed in popular
magazines and in health columns of daily newspapers.
TMJ stands for Iemporo Mandibular J.oint which is the jaw joint in front
of the ear. If you, or someone you know, are suffering from the
following symptoms in various combinations and intensities such as: frequent headaches
migraine headaches;
sinus headaches;
popping jaw joints when eating and/or yawning;
stiff neck and shoulders;
tingly fingers; low back pain;
frequent dizzy spells; light-headedness; then you might have consulted your family physician, and
through him the otologist (ear-specialist), radiologist, neurologist
and psychiatrist, usually in that order. When, after many tests, nothing
was found (and when after attempted drug therapy your pain really did
not go away), it might have been suggested that you "learn to live with
your pain" or that you would do well to take tranquilizers regularly.
Some well-informed health care provider may also have
suggested that the pain might be related to a "bad bite" and may have
suggested that you see your dentist. However, not every general dentist
recognizes and treats TMJ dysfunction. Only specially-trained and qualified dentists can help you with your TMJ-related problems.
To test whether your TMJ's are functioning properly or
are showing signs of dysfunction, place your index finger tip in front
of your ear onto the side of the "knob" (condyle) in each joint and then
open and close your mouth. If it hurts - or pops or creaks in the
joints - they are not functioning properly. The same is true if these
symptoms appear when you place the little fingers into the ear canals,
(pad of the fingertip forward, nails to the back, elbows up and out),
pressing forward while opening and closing the mouth. This self-test
for TMJ disorders may give you new insight as to the cause of your
chronic pain. There is hope for relief. (to be continued...) (By Dr. R. L. Bubenzer, DDS, FAGD) |
TMJ disorder and orthodontics
| Posted on October 16, 2011 at 2:42 AM |
comments (166)
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“Doctor, I was fine until I had my braces on, but now I think I
have TMJ.” In every orthodontic practice, this situation arises
consistently and with alarming regularity. TMJ disorder is one of the
most common problems affecting millions of people each year. Read more. |
What is TMJ?
| Posted on October 14, 2011 at 3:51 PM |
comments (126)
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TMJ is the abbreviation of Temporo-mandibular Joint, which is the joint
that connects the jawbone to the skull. Every human has one of these
joints on each side of the head, somewhere around the ear. Anything that
you do to move your jaw requires these joints to function properly.
That means you can’t eat, talk, or even smile and frown without
functioning TMJ. Place your fingers in front of or inside the ear canals, try opening and closing your mouth to detect the movement of TMJ. TMJ is a
“loose-fitting”, rotating and sliding joint with a fibrocartilage
covered, football shaped ball (condyle), fibrous pad (disc),
fibrocartilage lined socket (fossa), ligaments, tendons, blood vessels
and nerves. The disc functions as a moving shock absorber and
stabilizer between the condyle and fossa. As the jaw opens, normally
the condyle first rotates and then slides forward within the fossa with
the disc between the condyle and the fossa. In normal, healthy joint, the condyle is positioned in the front lower portion of the fossa and the dis moves forward and backward together with the condyle. The area behind the condyle and in front of the ear is full of blood vessels and nerve terminals, which causes TMJ pains when compressed by a condyle that moves too far back during mouth closing. The muscles of mastication (jaw muscles) attach to the mandible (lower jaw), maxilla (upper jaw),
skull and neck. The muscles of mastication open, close, protrude and
laterally move the jaw, enabling you to talk, chew, and swallow. The
supporting muscles of mastication (neck and shoulder girdle muscles)
stabilize the skull on the neck during jaw function. Dysfunction or spasm of these muscles is an important cause for TMD. |