Patients who experience craniofacial pain may have headaches, earaches, or even neck pain,
although the symptoms will vary from person to person based on the root cause of the
discomfort [1]. Why would a person experience craniofacial pain?

TMJ Disorders

The most common reason that people have chronic facial pain is due to the
temporomandibular joint (TMJ). TMJ disorders refer specifically to the joint that connects the upper and lower jaw. This joint is powerful and complex; however, it’s also prone to certain problems.

Due to a bite misalignment, teeth grinding, or a unique facial structure, a person could have a
TMJ disorder that causes symptoms such as a clicking jaw, inability to fully open their mouth,
and facial pain.

TMJ disorders are treatable so don’t hesitate to make an appointment with your dentist if you
have craniofacial pain that could be the result of a problem with your TMJ.

Stress

It sounds like an odd thing to cause craniofacial pain, but it’s true: stress can trigger chronic
facial pain.

Constant physical or psychological stress can lead to muscle tension that can radiate
throughout the neck and head. Poor posture could be involved as well—when the body is
constantly trying to compensate for an incorrect position, neck or upper back pain can be the
result.

Depending on what’s causing your stress, you can work to manage your daily stressors and curb
your craniofacial pain with the help of your physician.

Sleep Disorders

Although the connection between sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnea and
craniofacial pain isn’t well understood, many medical professionals acknowledge that there is a
connection between the two [2].

In addition, sleep issues and TMJ disorders can often coexist. While not every person who
experiences craniofacial pain will have a sleep disorder—and vice versa—it may be worth ruling
out a sleep issue when addressing your chronic facial pain with your dentist.

Symptoms of a potential sleep disorder include daytime fatigue, headaches, snoring, mood
disorders, waking up frequently at night, or even memory loss. If your dentist suspects you
suffer from a sleep disorder, he or she will refer you to a sleep specialist for further diagnosis.

What’s Causing Your Craniofacial Pain?

The causes of craniofacial pain will vary from person to person, so your treatment plan will be
custom to you. Managing your pain may require a multi-faceted approach depending on what
the cause is suspected to be.

The good news is that you don’t have to live with chronic facial pain. There is treatment and
hope, so don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment with your dentist to begin determining the
cause!

Sources:

1. http://www.abcp-us.org/resources/imposter.cfm
2. https://www.aapmd.org/craniofacial-pain-treatments

The post What Is Craniofacial Pain, and Why Do You Have It? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Misaligned teeth don’t just affect the appearance of your smile; they can have actual
consequences on your health that may only get worse if not corrected. What damage can
misaligned teeth cause?

Erosion of Gum Tissue

Our gums protect our teeth and keep them strong in our jaws. With nearly half of American
adults having some form of gum disease, keeping your gum tissue as healthy as possible is
essential to protecting your teeth.

Misaligned teeth play a role in gum health. In fact, the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) note that crooked teeth can be a risk factor for gum disease, which includes
gum recession [1].

When the teeth don’t align properly, bite force can be unevenly distributed across the teeth
which can lead to excessive stress placed on the gums and alveolar bone, leading to
inflammation and possibly gum recession.

Trouble Chewing Food

Misaligned teeth can also lead to trouble chewing food. With uneven bite pressure, crooked
teeth may not be able to break down food as well as straight teeth before it enters the
stomach, which can lead to gastrointestinal issues.

The American Dental Association acknowledges that crooked teeth may interfere with eating
[2]. This can lead to bloating, gas, cramping, and can even contribute to the development of
stomach ulcers.

Difficulty Cleaning

Crooked teeth are notoriously difficult to clean [3]. When teeth overlap or are crowded
together, it can feel impossible to properly brush and floss your mouth. Misaligned teeth are
often subject to an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay as a result.

If you have misaligned teeth, keeping up with your regular dental appointments is going to be
essential to preventing cavities and periodontal disease which could disrupt your smile.

Headaches

People who suffer from frequent headaches or migraines may have their teeth to blame. When
the teeth don’t come together properly, the jaw may try to compensate for the misaligned bite
which can cause stress on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).

The TMJ can be responsible for many issues, including earaches or frequent ear infections,
headaches, and chronic jaw or facial pain. Even neck pain and upper back pain have been linked
to TMJ. Consider an exam with your dentist if you suffer from headaches but haven’t had your
jaw evaluated as the culprit!

Tooth Sensitivity

Uneven wear on crooked teeth can cause tooth sensitivity. When certain teeth are worn down
more than the others, this can lead to exposed dentin, the softer tissue beneath tooth enamel.
Once dentin is exposed, temperature can travel to the nerves at the center of your tooth,
leading to painful tooth sensitivity that can make eating or drinking hot or cold foods
unpleasant at best and excruciating at worst.

Misaligned teeth might not be as easy to spot as you think. For many people, straight teeth
could still mean a misaligned bite. Getting a comprehensive exam with your professional
dentist can tell you if your teeth are misaligned and could be causing dental health problems
you’re not yet aware of!

Sources:
1. https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/index.htm
2. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/teens/concerns
3. https://www.health.harvard.edu/oral-health/are-you-too-old-for-braces

The post Misaligned Teeth Could Be Causing More Damage Than You Think appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Sensitive Teeth

Clenching your jaw and grinding your teeth can actually wear down the enamel of your teeth. Enamel is the hard, shiny, protective layer over your teeth. Enamel protects the softer tissues of your teeth as well as your tooth’s root. When enamel is worn away, cold or hot foods and drinks can cause pain because your tooth’s root may be exposed! Once your enamel is gone, there’s no way to replace it. Your dentist can tell during your regular checkups if you’re experiencing enamel loss. One of the most common symptoms of loss of enamel is sensitive teeth.

Headaches or Migraines

If you clench your teeth while you’re sleeping, your jaw is essentially exerting great force onto your teeth with no buffer. Experts estimate this amount to be three to ten times as much force as is exerted when chewing food. This is a huge amount of pressure on your teeth! This immense pressure can cause tension headaches, especially migraines.

If you suffer from headaches, especially in the morning, you could be clenching your teeth at night and not know it. Other symptoms of teeth clenching include jaw or facial pain, and your teeth may hurt as well. A custom nightly mouthguard can help protect your teeth from clenching and grinding at night, as they absorb the impact of your teeth clenching!

Chipped or Fractured Teeth

Teeth clenching can lead to chipped or fractured teeth! Chips are unsightly and often evident when you smile. To make matters worse, teeth that have lost enamel are much more susceptible to chips and even cavities. Fractured teeth are also more prone to cavities, and can cause bacteria to get to your tooth’s root. Chipped or fractured teeth may not seem like a big problem, but those cracks in your teeth can lead to bigger cracks and could end up costing you your smile. Teeth are not made to withstand teeth-on- teeth pressure contact, and over time, your teeth could sustain considerable damage from clenching!

Loose Teeth

Because of the impact that teeth clenching has on your gums and the connective tissue that holds your teeth in place, teeth clenching can cause loose teeth. Your gums can become inflamed when exposed to the pressure of teeth clenching and grinding, which can lead to damaged connective ligaments and tissue.

Over time, this will lead your teeth to become loose and they could eventually fall out. Although teeth clenching doesn’t necessarily cause periodontal disease, if you have periodontal disease, teeth clenching can make it worse!

Teeth clenching and grinding has more consequences than you think. This practice can damage your teeth and gums, and increases your risk for tooth damage and tooth loss. Talk to your dentist if you think you clench your teeth at night, and ask him or her about signs of teeth grinding during your next visit. There are steps you can take to stop bruxism!

The post The Hazardous Side Effects of Clenching Your Teeth appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

Custom Mouthguards

Your dentist will likely recommend a custom mouthguard while you follow up with your options for bruxism treatment. Although you do have the option of buying a standard mouthguard at the store, these mouthguards often fit poorly and don’t provide the comfort and breathability that a custom mouthguard will at night. Bruxism often happens at night while the sleeper is unaware of it, but it can also happen during the day, too. Talk with your dentist about a custom mouthguard to help prevent damage to your mouth from teeth grinding while you sleep.

Behavioral Therapy

Behavioral therapy can help to alter certain behaviors you have and better cope with stressors in your life. Behavioral therapy could include incorporating exercise, meditation, or mental health counseling into your routine. Bruxism often happens because of stress or anxiety, and behavioral therapy can help you to address these problems in a healthy and rational way rather than unconsciously exerting immense pressure on your teeth and jaw. Ask your dentist about behavioral therapy for your bruxism!

Correcting an Improper Bite

Teeth grinding can happen because your upper and lower rows of teeth are not aligned properly. This can lead certain patients to be more susceptible to bruxism. Your dentist can perform an oral exam on your mouth to determine if an improper bite could be the root cause of your bruxism. There are several treatments for correcting an improper bite and the way your teeth fit together. One of the most popular and easiest options is orthodontic treatment, which helps to properly align your teeth so you’ll be less likely to grind them.

Practicing Mindfulness and Body Awareness

Being aware of your body and your habits can be an important treatment factor in treating bruxism. Many people aren’t aware that they have this damaging habit, but others are aware. You can help stop bruxism by simply practicing mindfulness and becoming aware of when you grind your teeth. What emotions are you experiencing at the time? Are you stressed at work or home? This practice works well with behavioral therapy for treating bruxism and properly managing stress and emotions that can influence bruxism.

If you have any of the symptoms of bruxism, schedule an appointment with your dentist. He or she can tell if you’re a teeth grinder and advise you for options to treat this condition. Teeth grinding can eventually lead to tooth loss, so it’s important to recognize the symptoms and seek treatment— bruxism can be treated and you’ll feel better!

Image Courtesy of Supertrooper at Freedigitalphotos.net

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