San Francisco and Marin CA
Your smile is often the first thing others notice about you, and when it’s not perfect, it can cause feelings of depression or embarrassment. So, when you look in the mirror and realize that your teeth no longer line up to create a beautiful smile, it may cause some concerns, especially when accompanied by other symptoms. Fortunately, our Bay Area neuromuscular dentists at Glen Park Dental share on the blog today details about jaw misalignment, possible symptoms, and available treatments so that you can smile confidently again.
What can cause jaw misalignment?
Your skull and lower jaw connect at the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This joint is responsible for jaw movements when eating or speaking. Unfortunately, inflamed joints can malfunction and cause severe pain and other symptoms known as temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Our TMD dentists in San Francisco explain that symptoms of jaw-joint disorder vary from one patient to another in form and severity. While some patients may experience mild pain or jaw stiffness, others may suffer chronic pain and an inability to open their jaw. As the TMJ becomes inflamed, it can shift your jaw out of alignment and cause challenges when opening and closing your mouth.
What are some signs or symptoms that indicate the issue could be TMD?
A misaligned jaw can cause signs or symptoms to appear that should not be ignored. TMD can be extremely painful when left untreated and could cause additional health concerns. Therefore, our Oakland TMD dentists encourage those who identify with the following signs and symptoms to schedule a consultation to learn more and seek treatment.
- Facial pain
- Loose teeth
- Sensitive teeth
- Fingertip tingling
- Worn down teeth
- Jaw misalignment
- Ringing in the ears
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Ear pain or congestion
- Headaches or migraines
- Forward head posturing
- Jaw pain and/or stiffness
- Painful or tender jaw joints
- Limited mouth opening ability
- Clicking, popping, or grinding sounds
- Pain and fatigue when eating chewy or hard foods
- Bruxism, clenching or grinding teeth while sleeping
- A pattern of breaking or cracking teeth with no other cause
- Vague tooth soreness or toothaches that move around the mouth
TMD sufferers can experience one, or several symptoms that may indicate a serious condition. Whether your jaw looks misaligned when you smile in the mirror, or you have painful sensations in your jaw, scheduling an appointment with our Marin TMD dentists can help uncover your condition’s severity and offer effective treatment options to realign your jaw and reduce or alleviate pain.
What treatments are available for TMD sufferers?
Our Bay Area TMD dentists are honored to provide various treatments to patients who suffer from TMD. Your journey begins with a consultation to determine the degree of your jaw misalignment and establish possible treatment options.
Below are a few available treatments, whether at home or in our office, that can help realign your jaw and get rid of your pain
- Apply ice packs to the jaws, face, or temporomandibular joint.
- Take over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications like naproxen or ibuprofen.
- Use a TENS (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) machine to relax jaw muscles.
- Wear an oral appliance or custom mouth guard to realign the jaw or protect the teeth from grinding.
TMJ Treatment in Marin, Oakland, and San Francisco, California
Your jaw is an extremely active part of your body that can sometimes malfunction. Unfortunately, it can cause misalignment and painful sensations to develop. Without treatment, the situation will worsen, and it could lead to other health conditions. Therefore, if you identify with the signs or symptoms of TMD or notice your teeth no longer line up correctly, then schedule an appointment with our San Francisco neuromuscular dentists at Glen Park Dental. Please call our office at (415) 585-1500 or contact us online today.
