How long do problems with the TMJ last? Here’s what you can expect based on the cause of your TMJ problems as determined by a dentist.

If the Cause Is Genetic

For some people, the cause of their issues with the TMJ are genetic. Everyone has a differently shaped mouth and jaw, and for some people, these shapes just don’t fit well together. For some of these patients, surgery or orthodontics may be able to remedy the problem. For others, their TMJ pain won’t be able to be cured, but managed, making TMJ last a lifetime.

Only a professional dentist can determine the cause of your TMJ disorder, so don’t attempt to self-diagnose in an effort to treat your pain at home. With the right diagnosis, you’ll receive the right treatment!

If the Cause Is Malocclusion

Malocclusion, an improper bite, can cause problems with the TMJ. A malocclusion could include an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite. Fortunately, simple orthodontics can treat the majority of cases in these bites. For some severe cases, surgery may be needed, but for most, braces can help alleviate TMJ pain.

If your dentist suspects you’re suffering from TMJ pain as a result of an improper bite, he or she can refer you to an orthodontist who can further evaluate the problem and discuss a treatment plan with you to permanently fix your TMJ discomfort.

If the Cause Is Stress

For still some other patients, a combination of problems will cause their TMJ disorder. Some patients have recurring TMJ pain due to stress. In cases like these, TMJ is likely temporary, especially if there is no additional underlying cause to be found.

If your dentist isn’t finding an additional cause, stress management techniques can help you reduce any stiffness, soreness, or tension that you’re experiencing as a result of problems with your TMJ. Stress management techniques may be different for different people, with the most common being relaxation techniques, breathing exercises, therapy, and exercise.

Other Causes

There are other causes of TMJ disorders, including teeth grinding, which is also referred to as bruxism. Bruxism can absolutely be treated which can help alleviate stress on your TMJ. The exact cause of your TMJ disorder may be a combination of causes, so working with a professional gives you your best chance to help alleviate your pain.

Are you experiencing TMJ pain and are afraid it will last for life? For many people, their TMJ pain is treatable if not curable. Visiting your dentist is the first step in identifying what is causing your TMJ discomfort and what your treatment steps should be. Seeking help for your TMJ pain sooner rather than later can help you avoid unnecessary pain and stress!

The post How Long Does TMJ Last? Is It Permanent? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

What can cause jaw tightness? There are several different reasons behind tense jaw muscles that may be causing your discomfort. By identifying the root of the problem, you can help alleviate your jaw pain!

You Have a TMJ Disorder

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is one of the most complex joints in the human body. It connects your upper jaw to your lower jaw and enables your jaw to move up and down and from side to side.

Since the TMJ is so complex, it’s susceptible to problems. When your joint doesn’t work
properly due to an improper bite, arthritis, or an injury, it can cause chronic pain and jaw
tightness that’s difficult to live with.

Fortunately, there is treatment for TMJ disorders. Your dentist can perform a simple evaluation to determine if your TMJ is being impacted by a disorder and talk with you about treatment.

You Grind Your Teeth

Bruxism, the technical term for teeth grinding, can be immensely damaging to both your teeth and your jaw. Grinding your teeth puts intense stress on your TMJ and your pearly whites. In some cases, bruxism can cause teeth to fracture or completely wear down.

Teeth grinding happens for a variety of reasons, but one of the main causes is stress. In fact, you may be grinding your teeth while sleeping and not even know it! Your dentist can tell if your grind your teeth by conducting a simple exam.

If you’re a teeth grinder, you could be putting concentrated pressure on your jaw muscles, leading to a constant feeling of tightness even when you’re not grinding your teeth.

You Have an Improper Bite

When your teeth don’t fit together properly, this can cause an improper bite, also called a malocclusion. Malocclusions range from overbites and underbites to open bites and cross bites. These types of bites range from mild to severe and can all cause jaw pain, especially when chewing, speaking, or smiling. Improper bites are usually inherited from your parents and can fortunately be fixed with orthodontics.

If a malocclusion is causing your jaw tightness, speak with your dentist about what treatment in the form of orthodontia might look like!

You Have Arthritis

In some cases, jaw tightness may be caused by rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis. In fact, the majority of people with rheumatoid arthritis have some type of TMJ pain, as the
inflammation may impact the joint.

Osteoarthritis is rarer but can happen in the TMJ, where it can cause loss of healthy tissue including cartilage and will impact the function of your jaw. Both people with rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis may experience painful jaw tightness.

Are you experiencing jaw tightness that’s impacting your life? A painful jaw can be caused by a variety of problems from teeth grinding to arthritis and malocclusions. Your dentist can help you determine the cause of your jaw tightness and work with you to implement a successful treatment plan!

The post What Are the Causes of Jaw Tightness? appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.

So, how does this happen? When the airway of a developing child is compromised because of allergies, tonsils and adenoids, the child must breath through his mouth to get oxygen. The nasal passages become inflamed. The exchange of gases on and off the red blood cells is impeded due to the lack of Nitric Oxygen, or NO, which is continually produced by the epithelium of the nasal passages. The tongue stays on the floor of the mouth. The buccinator, or cheek muscles, in the absence of the balancing forces created by the tongue resting on the anterior two thirds of the palate, allow the collapse of the upper, or maxillary arch and prevent it from growing laterally. The result is a narrow, forward-growing maxilla, bilateral cross bites, and a high, arched palate. Often the nasal septum responds to the upward forces, causing a deviated septum, further compromising nasal breathing. The lower jaw, or mandible, which is influenced by the growth of the maxilla, grows down instead of down and forward. The result is an obtuse mandibular angle, a long lower third of the face, and often an anterior open bite. The airway can be further compromised on opening because the mandible opens down and back, instead of in a more downward direction.

As a parent, what can you look for to determine whether your child has a breathing disorder? Does your infant have difficulty sucking or staying latched onto the nipple? Does he fuss and cry more than you expect when feeding? He may be having trouble getting air through his nose, so he sucks until he needs air, then unlatches and cries before reattaching. Do the nostrils appear small, inadequate, and unused? Look at his tongue. Is it discolored from mouth breathing, or is there a tongue tie, limiting its ability to reach the palate? Does he have constant bad breath? Is he a messy eater with food all over his mouth? Are the lips continuously open when he plays or sleeps? Does he or she have dark circles under watery eyes? Is the lower third of the face growing too long? Does he have difficulty concentrating in school? Is he hyperactive? These can be some of the signs of a compromised airway.

What can you do? Ask your pediatrician to evaluate if your child’s tongue is tied as well as whether your child’s tonsils obstruct the pharynx. They may say to wait until the tonsils and adenoids shrink, usually around the age of five. If you receive such advice, consider getting an opinion from a physician familiar with sleep disorders. Consult a doctor who specializes in Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) conditions. You may also consult a pulmonologist, an expert in breathing disorders. Possibly the best screening medical professional is a dentist with knowledge about breathing disorders, particularly sleep breathing disorders. Dentist trained to recognize breathing disorders and associated malocclusion can point you in the right direction to have your child evaluated. There are procedures and techniques available to facilitate the normal growth and development of your child.

The post Exploring the Relationship Between Malocclusion, Childhood Breathing Disorders, and Sleep Disorders appeared first on Your Dental Health Resource.