Welcome everyone!
Dr. Fields here checking in with you from Van Nuys.
I know people have many dental concerns, and TMJ seems to be a topic that many people have questions about. I think it’s really because we deal with so much stress in our lives, that unfortunately we sometimes see the physical ramifications of stress in our bodies. Headaches are a common problem for many Americans. But here is something that you may not have realized: headaches can be a symptom of TMJ, which is a serious dental issue
What is TMJ?
TMJ is a painful condition in the jaw. You have two temporomandibular joints (TMJ) in your mouth, one on either side, and these are the joints that you use to open a close your mouth. Every time you open your mouth to talk, chew or yawn or anything else, you are using your TMJ joints.
Why does TMJ cause headaches?
Our physical and emotional stress can manifest in TMJ which can be either a cause of or reaction to headaches, gum chewing, teeth grinding or other things. While you are sleeping, you may be unconsciously clenching your jaw, which after eight hours of sleep can create real stress on all the muscles in your jaw and head. You also may have been grinding away the enamel of your teeth.
Headaches and TMJ can stem from any number of things, and as I said, one of the most common reasons is stress.. And it can lead to so many problems, like sore jaw, pain in the face, neck or shoulders, and sometimes even earaches and dizziness.
Rather than suffering all day long and throughout the night, take care of this issue so that you can rest properly, and eat and talk in comfort.
How should I deal with this?
To discover if you are one of the many people who suffer with TMJ disorder, come in to my office. We are able to offer you the best service and answers to your questions about TMJ. When you begin to understand your condition, dealing with it will be that much easier, and it’s the first step to getting better and getting rid of those awful headaches!
If you want to know more about headaches and TMJ and how Dr. Fields can help you, you can always come in for a free consultation. Call me at 818-787-6400. I love to see my regular patients and new patients to help you work through your dental care and TMJ issues. http://www.vannuysdentist.com/sedation_report
