It’s not that no one ever thinks about their jaw health, but you might not notice just how significantly little things can affect it, or notice when something isn’t right. If your jaw is in trouble, but the symptoms are more centered on headaches than dental pain, then your jaw health might not be the first thing you think of as a possible cause. Because your jaw and its many intricate components have a significant effect on your quality of life, we explore three important things that everyone should know about jaw health.
A Popping/Clicking Jaw Isn’t Normal
Some people find it amusing, others find it annoying, and some find it extremely painful. Regardless of how you feel about it, your jaw’s joints should not pop and click when you open and close your mouth. It usually indicates that your jaw is imbalanced, and the pop is the sensation of your joints forcing themselves into alignment as they try and compensate.
Jaw Problems Can Make Your Head Hurt
Besides sore and painful facial muscles, jaw dysfunctions involving your jaw’s joints (collectively known as TMJ disorders) can also cause recurring headaches by aggravating your trigeminal nerves. The three branches of each of these two nerves innervate the majority of your craniofacial structures, and the symptoms of TMJ disorders can include headaches, migraines, earaches, neck and shoulder stiffness, and trouble with jaw movement, to name just a few.
Grinding Your Teeth Isn’t Harmless
Logic might tell you that if you grind your teeth often enough, you can damage them, but did you know that you could also put your jaw health at risk? The pressure from grinding and clenching your teeth together can exhaust your jaw’s joints and muscles, exacerbating or causing TMJ discomfort.
ABOUT YOUR NORTH RICHLAND HILLS DENTIST:
With over 25 years of professional experience, Dr. Steven M. Huffstutler and his caring team proudly provide exceptional preventive, cosmetic, and restorative dental treatment to patients and their families across Dallas/Ft. Worth, including North Richland Hills, Denton, the Mid-cities, Southlake, and all surrounding communities. We also have extensive experience helping patients find relief from painful TMJ disorders (various forms of jaw dysfunction). To schedule an appointment with Dr. Huffstutler, contact our office today by calling 817-918-3038.