Controlling The Pain In Your Back

Two Conditions That May Be Causing Your TMJ Pain

If you've dealt with long-standing issues concerning your jawbones, you may believe that it's just a quirk that is not truly a serious problem.  However, the aches and pains that you've grown accustomed to could be an indication that you actually suffer from Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome (TMJ.)  TMJ is essentially a disorder of the jawbone system that happens as a result of some type of injury.

However, even if you can't recall undergoing an injury that would have led to TMJ, you may still be living with the disorder.  Use this information to learn more about two conditions that may be responsible for your TMJ pain:

You Have An Overbite

An overbite is a condition where your upper jaw is positioned in such a way that it virtually overlaps your lower jaw.  Not only does an overbite affect your appearance, it can also lead to TMJ because of the added stress that is placed on your jawbones each time you talk or chew.

An overbite can lead to TMJ because of the excessive correcting that your jaw muscles and bones have to do in order to make up for the fact that your jaws are not aligned correctly.  If you have an overbite you may find that you have learned how to chew or speak in such a way that your condition is not exacerbated.  However, this over-correcting can take its toll over time.

Instead of trying to change the way that you speak or chew in order to deal with your overbite, you should see a dental professional right away.  They will take a mold of your teeth so that they can construct special molds for you to wear each night in order to decrease the chance that TMJ will begin to have a more serious effect on your life.

You Grind Your Teeth

If you grind your teeth at night while you sleep, you should definitely seek help for this malady right away.  When you grind your teeth, you are putting a great deal of stress on your jawbones.  If this persists over time, you may develop TMJ and find that you deal with painful jawbones when you wake up in the morning.

Seeing a dentist right away is the best way to help you keep TMJ from rearing its head.  They will help you best determine why you grind your teeth, whether it is due to stress, or because your jaws are misaligned.  Once the diagnosis occurs, they can help you get the treatment you need so you can feel better.

You don't have to live a life that is full of jawbone pain.  If you deal with any of the aforementioned conditions, seek help right away.


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