When people are experiencing constant head or neck pain, they may not immediately think of the dentist. However, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder is frequently found to be the source of this chronic pain. Since the treatment of TMJ disorder can involve oral splints, bite realignment, orthodontics, or tooth restorations, relieving your pain can begin with a visit to your dentist.
Before you can begin to treat TMJ disorder, you first need to be able to identify your symptoms and seek out diagnosis. Common symptoms of TMJ disorder can include:
- Popping or clicking of the jaw
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- Difficulty chewing or swallowing
- Facial pain
- Headaches
- Dizziness
- Shoulder, back, or neck pain
- Numbness of the arms or fingers
About 40% of all chronic pain syndromes in the United States affect the head and/or the neck. TMJ disorder can be a major cause of this type of pain, and the condition can often be effectively treated by a skilled and experienced dentist who is Board Certified by the American Board of Orofacial Pain. If you believe you may be suffering from the symptoms of TMJ disorder, please contact us today to schedule an appointment with