What Your Jaw Pain Is Trying To Tell You

Jaw pain is a common dental concern that many patients tend to forget to mention during their dental appointments. However, you should bring up your jaw pain to your trusted dentist in Alpharetta, GA, as there could be a simple dental solution that could relieve you of your discomfort. As a faculty member of the Dawson Academy, Dr. Angie Hedlund is trained in the essential principles and skills for complete care with concentrations in temporomandibular joints. Chronic jaw pain is usually the result of a TMJ disorder or an issue with the temporomandibular joint in your jaw. Here are some things your jaw pain could be revealing to you about your dental health:

You Might Be Grinding Your Teeth

Many cases of TMJ disorders are the result of unconscious teeth grinding. Patients who grind their teeth may also experience a variety of other symptoms including headaches, earaches, and worn-down teeth. If you are grinding your teeth, Dr. Hedlund can make you a customized nightguard that fits comfortably into your mouth as you sleep. This oral appliance will help hold your jaw in a comfortable resting position, reducing the tension that you hold in your jaw unconsciously. Additionally, a customized nightguard reduces your risk of tooth damage due to teeth grinding.

Your Bite Pattern Could Be Off

If your bite pattern is thrown off, you could begin to experience jaw pain. This is because the ways in which your teeth connect as you chew and speak is directly affected by your bite pattern. If your bite pattern is not allowing you to effectively utilize your mouth muscles, this places extra strain on all of your facial muscles and can leave your jaw feeling tense and tired. At Esthetic Dental Solutions, mild to moderate orthodontic care can be performed discreetly utilizing Invisalign. Invisalign is a system of clear aligners that gradually shift your teeth into a straighter position, thus improving the function of your bite.

You May Need To Replace Any Missing Teeth

When you are missing one or more teeth, this places extra strain on your surrounding teeth, soft tissues, and jawbone. As you chew and speak, your mouth muscles are placed under more strain than usual. This can lead to jaw pain as your jawbone is being overworked during daily tasks. Restorative dentistry options are available to replace missing teeth, including dental implants, dental bridges, dentures, and partials.

If you are unsure about the cause of your jaw pain, you should schedule an appointment with Dr. Hedlund today. She will provide you with a thorough evaluation of your teeth, gums, and jaw and offer a variety of treatment options to best meet your needs.