Our fast-paced lifestyle brings with it an equally high level of daily stress. And stress takes its toll on our bodies in myriad ways. Too many of us suffer aches and pains, and too many of these pains are not clearly tied to any specific cause. The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that over fifteen percent of Americans suffer from chronic facial pain, alone. If you experience neck and facial pain, especially in the presence of other symptoms, like pain around the ear, jaw tenderness with or without clicking or popping sounds, and headaches, consider temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) as one very likely cause.
Causes
Neck and facial pain can be caused by headaches associated with TMD or from other causes. In some cases the other causes, such as arthritis, injury or dislocation may have caused the TMD. Sinus congestion and allergies often cause headaches, and these sometimes cause neck aches as well. So, it is important not to try to self-diagnose, but to see a professional who is knowledgeable about differentiating between TMD and other causes.
A dentist trained in neuromuscular dentistry is a good choice. The ADA points out that you can get conflicting diagnoses if more than one doctor is involved, so it would make sense to screen your choices carefully if you seek second opinions. Look for specialists who use accepted diagnostics to justify their diagnoses and who have a reputation for being impartial and objective.
TMD diagnosis is done using x-rays and scanning equipment to image the present position of the jaw joints and tissues, as well as to identify the optimal position for these. Scanning equipment can track the motion of your jaw and help identify the most appropriate treatment options.
Treatment
Treatment can involve one or more approaches to relieve pain and correct any jaw or dental problems that are contributing to the disorder. TENS units, pain medication, relaxation techniques and other pain management efforts can help immediately. Corrective measures for TMD will focus on proper alignment of the jaw and bite, and restoration of any teeth that might affect the alignment.
Topic: american dental association, association ada, chronic facial pain, jaw joints, neuromuscular dentistry, optimal position, paced lifestyle, relaxation techniques, sinus congestion, tens units