People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left untreated, can adversely affect the teeth, gums and bone structures of the mouth. One of the most common jaw disorders is related to a problem with the temporomandibular joint, the joint that connects your lower jaw to your skull, and allows your upper and lower jaw to open and close and facilitates chewing and speaking.
People with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) often have a clicking or popping sound when opening and closing their mouths. Such disorders are often accompanied by frequent headaches, neck aches, and in some cases, tooth sensitivity.
Some treatments for TMD include muscle relaxants, aspirin, biofeedback, or wearing a small plastic appliance in the mouth during sleep.
Minor cases of TMD involve discomfort or pain in the jaw muscles. More serious conditions involve improperly aligned joints or dislocated jaws. The most extreme form of TMD involves an arthritic condition of the jaw joint.
If your jaw aches or clicks, our team can help you find out why. We see patients with jaw pain at Luka Dental Care, 2101 Aldersbrook Road in London, Ontario.
Jaw pain is different for everyone. Some people feel a dull ache in front of the ear. Others hear a click or a pop when they chew or yawn.
You might wake up with a sore face or a headache near your temples. Your jaw may feel tired after a meal, or catch for a moment before it opens all the way.
Grinding and clenching your teeth at night are common causes. Stress can also make you tense your jaw during the day without noticing.
A bite that does not meet evenly can strain the joint. An old injury to the jaw, or arthritis in the joint, can play a part too.
First, we ask when the pain started and when it feels worst. Then we check the jaw joint and the muscles around it, and we look at how your teeth meet.
If we need a closer look, we can take a 3D CBCT scan of the joint in our office. For most people, care starts with a custom night guard made in our own dental lab, in the same building.
If your teeth meet unevenly, we may also adjust your bite so the pressure spreads out.
Jaw disorders rarely appear in isolation. Many patients with jaw pain also clench or grind at night. So we treat teeth grinding and bruxism as part of the same evaluation and often fit custom night guards to take pressure off the joint.
When symptoms point to a broader problem, our TMJ treatment covers diagnosis and a longer-term plan.
Call us if jaw pain lasts more than a week or two, or if it wakes you up at night. Do not wait if your jaw locks open or shut, or if you cannot open wide enough to eat.
You can reach us at 519-472-4460. We are open Monday and Tuesday from 10 to 7, and Wednesday and Thursday from 8 to 5. We are accepting new patients.
Mild jaw pain often eases in a few days with soft foods and a warm cloth on the sore side. If it comes back again and again, or lasts longer, come and see us.
Not always. TMJ is the name of the jaw joint, and TMD means a problem with that joint or its muscles. A cracked tooth can feel like jaw pain too, so we check your teeth as well.
For many people, yes. A guard made for your bite takes pressure off the joint and lets your jaw muscles rest at night.
Yes. We are open until 7 on Monday and Tuesday evenings.
