Neuromuscular dentistry allows anyone suffering from a misalignment of the jaw and bite to relieve pain and improve their quality of life. Several treatments fall under the umbrella of neuromuscular dentistry, some of which specifically target conditions like temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
If you’re struggling to eat, talk, or live comfortably with a misaligned jaw or strained muscles, let Dr. Sox and the team with Eccella Smiles discuss how neuromuscular dentistry might help you treat your jaw pain and headaches. We’re here to provide Jacksonville Beach with optimum dental care, and we’ll take care of you.
What is Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ)?
What is temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMJ, and what does it have to do with your headaches and jaw pain? TMJ is a condition that impacts the sliding hinge joint that connects your jawbone to the rest of your skull. You have two of these joints, and both of them can fall victim to damage over time.
TMJ specifically describes an instance wherein the muscles around your jaw begin to ache, causing headaches as well as difficulty eating and speaking. There are a few different tactics dental professionals can use to diagnose TMJ along with other dental conditions that might be impacting your head and jaw, including the following:
- Sonography, or the process of measuring your jaw joint’s vibrations as you open and close your mouth
- Electromyography, or a process wherein medical professionals measure the electrical impulses traveling through your jaw with the aid of electrodes and recording devices
You can ask a dentist which of these procedures or any others might help diagnose the source of your headaches and jaw pain. Doing so will pave the way to possible treatments that may restore your lost quality of life.
How Does Neuromuscular Dentistry Relieve Headaches and Jaw Pain?
If you determine that you do have TMJ or a condition like it, you can book a neuromuscular dentistry consultation to discuss what practices might best help you ease your pain. These practices may range from reconstructive surgeries of the mouth to nerve displacement surgeries, depending on the severity of your pain and the cause behind your TMJ diagnosis.
The purpose of the neuromuscular dentistry services you benefit from is to reduce the amount of pain you’re in on a daily basis. Neuromuscular dentistry can specifically relieve tension in your jaw muscles, reducing the frequency of your chronic headaches, relieving neck soreness, and making it easier for you to chew and speak.
Our dental team can specifically work with you to reposition your jaw to limit any additional damage to your bone structure, teeth, and overall health. In doing so, we may also prevent other destructive conditions, including bruxism or teeth grinding.
Can Neuromuscular Dentistry Improve Your Overall Health?
Neuromuscular dentistry does more than preserve the structural integrity of your jaw, relieve your pain, and improve your dental health. Procedures performed by experienced professionals actively make it easier for you to take care of yourself. Patients have noted that their treatments have:
- Improved their sleep
- Lessened their fatigue
- Improved their eating habits
- Made making interpersonal connections easier
- Decreased their overall tension
- Improved their posture
In other words, taking care of your jaw and seeking treatments that will relieve your pain can have a positive impact on your overall health, not just the health of your teeth and jaw. That impact, more than anything, is a reason to consider whether or not neuromuscular dentistry is right for you.
When Should You Consider Neuromuscular Dentistry For Your Headaches and Jaw Pain?
Are you struggling with the symptoms of TMJ? Do you have chronic headaches, difficulty eating, or trouble speaking without pain? If so, you have the right to pursue care that improves your quality of life, including neuromuscular dentistry care.
You can collaborate with Eccella Smiles to discuss your symptoms and whether or not neuromuscular dentistry may relieve your pain and make tasks like chewing and speaking simpler. You can schedule a free dental consultation today using our contact form or by calling (904) 834-3737.
