Posted: September 29, 2024
What do jaw pain, clicking sounds in the jaw, and frequent headaches and in common? Temporomandibular joint disorder, commonly known as TMD. While the causes of TMJ pain can vary, one frequently identified contributor is misaligned teeth. Dental misalignment, or malocclusion, doesn’t just affect your smile’s appearance—it can also have a significant impact on the health and function of your jaw.
Understanding TMD and Your Teeth
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) connects the lower jaw to the skull, allowing you to move your mouth smoothly when talking, chewing, or yawning. When this joint is functioning properly, you can open and close your mouth without discomfort. However, if something interferes with the natural balance of your bite, the jaw joint can become strained or inflamed, leading to pain, stiffness, and other uncomfortable symptoms.
One of the most common causes of this imbalance is misaligned teeth. When your upper and lower teeth don’t come together properly, it puts unnecessary pressure on the TMJ and surrounding muscles. Over time, this pressure can lead to a range of issues, including TMJ disorder (TMD).
How Misaligned Teeth Contribute to TMJ Problems
When your teeth don’t align correctly, your jaw has to work harder to make up for the imbalance. This constant effort puts stress on the muscles and ligaments around the jaw joint, leading to inflammation and discomfort. Misalignment can also cause the jaw to move in unnatural ways, further aggravating the TMJ and leading to chronic pain.
In addition to the direct strain on the jaw joint, misaligned teeth can cause or exacerbate other problems such as teeth grinding (bruxism), sleep apnea, and headaches. Grinding your teeth puts added pressure on the TMJ, worsening symptoms and potentially leading to additional dental complications like tooth wear or fractures.
Common Symptoms of TMJ Due to Misaligned Teeth
- Jaw pain or tenderness: Pain around the jaw joint or near the ears, especially when chewing or talking.
- Clicking or popping sounds: A clicking or popping noise when you open or close your mouth can indicate misalignment affecting the TMJ.
- Headaches or earaches: The strain on the TMJ can radiate to other areas, causing headaches, ear pain, or even neck and shoulder discomfort.
- Difficulty chewing or biting: Misaligned teeth make it harder for the jaw to move smoothly, leading to discomfort when eating.
Common Options to Relieve TMJ Pain from Misaligned Teeth
The good news is that TMJ pain caused by misaligned teeth is often treatable with the right dental care. Here are some common treatments that can help alleviate your symptoms:
Orthodontic Treatments
If your teeth are misaligned, orthodontic treatments like braces or Invisalign can correct your bite and reduce stress on the TMJ. By shifting your teeth into their proper positions, orthodontics helps restore balance to your jaw and eliminates the uneven pressure causing pain. Invisalign is a particularly popular option for adults looking to discreetly improve their alignment without traditional metal braces.
Custom Night Guards
If teeth grinding worsens your TMJ pain, a custom night guard can protect your teeth and reduce jaw tension. These guards help realign your bite while you sleep, preventing further damage to the TMJ and reducing discomfort.
Jaw Exercises and Physical Therapy
In addition to dental treatments, exercises designed to strengthen and relax the jaw muscles can improve TMJ function and alleviate pain. Your dentist or orthodontist may recommend a combination of therapies to enhance your jaw’s mobility and ease tension in the joint.
Schedule a Consultation
If you’re experiencing jaw pain, headaches, or other TMJ symptoms, it’s time to consider whether misaligned teeth could be the cause. Scheduling an appointment with a dentist could be the first step toward identifying the problem and finding a solution. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact our office via our contact form or call 403-407-5730.
*all procedures performed at our practice by a general dentist
