You may not suspect that the alignment of your bite can have a pronounced impact on the rest of your body. When it comes to [link id=’114′ text=’TMJ’], however, the issues do not end at your jaw. Many patients who suffer from TMJ also experience pain in their back and neck that they may not immediately connect to the issues they are having with their temporomandibular joint.
Other symptoms of TMJ include:
- Recurring headaches
- Pain and swelling in your jaw and face
- Feeling of pressure in your ears and nasal passages
- Clicking, popping, and grinding in your jaw
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
- Lockjaw
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms along with neck and back pain, there is a good chance TMJ or TMD is the culprit. A misaligned jaw puts added stress on your jaw muscles, which puts added stress on your neck muscles, and the pain radiates out from the jaw as muscle groups further down your back are gradually affected.
The pain can also come from a tendency among TMJ patients to put their heads too far forward, overtaxing the neck muscles and possibly causing shifts in the spine. In order to fix these issues, you should see an experienced and highly-qualified TMJ dentist like Dr. Pamela Marzban as soon as possible. Dr. Marzban is a board-certified cosmetic dentist who makes a point of staying on the cutting edge of neuromuscular dentistry.
To schedule an appointment at Dr. Marzban’s dental practice, call 703-323-8200. Dr. Marzban serves patients in Fairfax Station, Fairfax, Burke, and the surrounding communities.
