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JAW PROBLEMS & HEADACHES
Q What is dental
occlusion?
A Dental occlusion is another name for the way
your teeth meet when your jaws bite together.
Q What is TMJ?
A The letters TMJ are short for of 'temporo-mandibular
joint', which is the joint connecting your lower jaw and
your skull. The movement in this joint lets you open and
close your mouth and chew from side to side.
Q What kind of
problems might I have?
A If your teeth don't fit together
properly, you can have problems not only in your teeth themselves,
but also the gums, the temporo-mandibular joint or the muscles
that move your jaw. These problems are called 'occlusal'
problems.
Teeth that are out of line, heavily worn or constantly breaking,
fillings that fracture or crowns that work loose may all
be signs of occlusal problems. Your teeth may also be tender
to bite on or may ache constantly.
Loose teeth or receding gums can be made worse by a faulty
bite.
Clicking, grinding or pain in your jaw joints, ringing
or buzzing in your ears and difficulty in opening or closing
your mouth could all be due to your teeth not meeting each
other properly.
If your jaw is in the wrong position, the muscles that
move the jaw have to work a lot harder and can get tired.
This leads to muscle spasm. The main symptoms are continual
headaches or migraine, especially first thing in the morning;
pain behind your eyes; sinus pain and pains in your neck
and shoulders. Sometimes even back muscles are involved.
Q
How can I tell if I have a problem?
A You may find that you clench or grind your teeth, although
most people who do aren't aware of it. Sometimes can be caused
by anxiety, but generally most people clench their teeth
when they are concentrating on a task - housework, gardening,
car mechanics, typing and so on.
You may wake up in the morning with a stiff jaw or tenderness
when you bite together. This could be due to clenching or
grinding your teeth in your sleep. Most people who grind
their teeth do it while they are asleep and may not know
they are doing it.
If you suffer from severe headaches, or neck and shoulder
pain, you may not have linked this with possible jaw problems.
Or you may keep having pain or discomfort on the side of
your face around your ears or jaw joints or difficulty in
moving your jaw. These are all symptoms of TMJ problems.
If you are missing some teeth at the back of your mouth,
this may lead to an unbalanced bite, which can cause uneven
pressure on your teeth.
Together, all these symptoms are called 'TMJ syndrome'.
Q
How are occlusal problems treated?
A See your dentist. He
or she may be able to help you or may refer you to a specialist
who deals with occlusal problems.
Depending on the problems you are having, it can be possible
to spot the signs of an occlusal problem. Various muscles
may be sore when tested, or the broken and worn areas of
your teeth will show you are grinding your teeth - a common
sign of an incorrect bite.
If your dentist suspects that your problems are due to an
incorrect bite, he or she may help to diagnose the problem
by supplying a temporary soft nightguard or hard plastic
appliance that fits over your upper or lower teeth. This
appliance needs to be measured and fitted very accurately
so that when you bite on it, all your teeth meet at exactly
the same time in a position where your muscles are relaxed.
You may have to wear this all the time or, just at night.
If the appliance relieves your symptoms then your bite may
need to be corrected permanently.
)
Your teeth may need to be carefully adjusted to meet evenly.
Changing the direction and position of the slopes that
guide your teeth together can often help to reposition
the jaw.
The temporo-mandibular joint needs equal support from both
sides of both jaws. The chewing action is designed to work
properly only when all your teeth are present and in the
correct position. Missing teeth may need to be replaced
either with a partial denture or bridgework.
Replacement is not usually done until a diagnosis has been
confirmed by using an appliance and this has fully relieved
the symptoms. Relief in some patients is instant: in others
it can take a long time.
Some drugs can help in certain cases, but this is usually
only temporary. Hormone replacement therapy may also help
some women.
As with any joint pain, it can help to put less stress on
the joint. So a soft diet can be helpful, as can Corrective
exercises and external heat. Physiotherapy exercises can
often help, and your dentist may be able to show some of
these to you.
Counselling and relaxation therapy may help in some cases.
These techniques help the patient to become more aware
of stressful situations and to control tension.
Q Will straightening
my teeth help?
A If your teeth are too far out of line
or in a totally incorrect bite position, it may be necessary
to fit an orthodontic appliance to move them into a better
position.
Q How many people suffer from these problems?
A Up to 1 in
4 people may have some symptoms. Both men and women are affected
equally, although women tend to seek treatment more often
than men. The symptoms can often start with the menopause
or other hormonal changes.
Many people have imperfect occlusion and missing teeth,
yet never have symptoms because they adjust to their problems.
Occasionally, in times of increased stress and tension, the
symptoms may appear and then go away immediately. Or, your
teeth and gums may be affected straight away and instead
of headaches, you may suffer:
- flattened, worn teeth
- broken teeth, fillings and crowns
- loose teeth
- continual sensitivity of your teeth to temperature
change
- toothache with no apparent cause.
If you think you have any of these problems, ask your dentist.
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