When a patient is suffering from acute mouth and jaw pain, sometimes dentists will address the immediate problem without necessarily uncovering the root cause. If TMJ or an occlusal issue is to blame, a neuromuscular dentist can help you get to the bottom of things. Read on to learn about the symptoms of common bite problems and how neuromuscular dentistry can address these issues.
TMJ and Occlusal Disease
Occlusal disease is a teeth alignment problem, while TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder is a problem with the jaw joint itself. Occlusal diseases and TMJ are more common than you may think and often manifest themselves in unexpected ways.
Symptoms of Bite Problems
Stiff neck, earache, headache, and unusual wear on the teeth are all tell-tale signs of TMJ or other bite problems. Even minor symptoms such as sensitive teeth or tired facial muscles after chewing could indicate an undiagnosed bite disorder. Until the root cause of your misalignment or jaw problem is addressed, the pain is likely to keep coming back. Enter neuromuscular dentistry.
Neuromuscular Dentistry Considers the Entire Body
Neuromuscular dentistry is a less-invasive approach to dentistry based on the fact that all systems of the body are interconnected. This whole-body approach focuses on the connection between the teeth, muscles, joints, and nerves. When all of these components are seen as one interdependent unit, temporomandibular disorders, or TMB's, can often be treated in non-traditional ways.
Neuromuscular Dentistry Seeks Out Long-Term Solutions
Neuromuscular dentistry involves a quest for long-term solutions to chronic dental pain and dysfunction. This approach is based on the realization that conditions affecting your bite are often caused by other physical problems, including sleep apnea, poor posture, and stress.
An experienced neuromuscular dentist can evaluate how your jaw, teeth, muscles, and tendons interact and find the right treatment of TMJ syndrome to realign your bite. They can even work together with other specialists, including ear, nose, and throat doctors, chiropractors, and behavior therapists, to address the underlying factors contributing to your jaw pain.
If you're looking for a long-term solution for your bite issues, including TMJ, a dentist that favors a neuromuscular approach may be exactly what you need. We offer various solutions for TMJ disorders, including jaw aligners for sleep apnea. Contact us today to begin the process of getting back to a normal life.