Why Does My Jaw Hurt

Why Does My Jaw Hurt?

Have you recently experienced neck pain, headaches or pain in your jaw? Chronic teeth grinding, clenching or pain when you bite, chew or yawn may be indicative of a joint disorder known as TMJ pain or TMD. If your jaw has a habit of getting “stuck” when you open your mouth to yawn or eat, you have a good reason to seek the help of your dentist in Santa Monica.

Dr. Brightleaf: Your Tmj Dentist

Dr. Brightleaf is one of few dentists in the area to focus significantly on TMJ disorders, bite alignment and how dental health can affect the health of the entire body. Dr. Brightleaf takes a special interest in treating and preventing TMJ pain and has developed a unique TMJ exam to ensure your best level of health. Give Brightleaf Dental a call at (310) 395-1810 to schedule your TMJ Exam.

What To Expect At A Tmj Exam

There’s a reason Dr. Brightleaf is considered by many patients as the best dentist in Santa Monica for treating TMJ pain and TMD. If you or a loved one has been struggling with jaw pain for too long, consider scheduling a TMJ exam with Dr. Brightleaf.

1. We start with the head and back muscles during a Muscle Palpation Test, where a designated amount of pressure is applied individually to approximately 9-10 muscles in the head and back. Each muscle is then rated on a scale of 0-3 to determine the extent of the issue.

0 = Muscle is considered normal
1 = Areas of tension or tightness are found
2 = Muscle is uncomfortable or strained
3 = Muscle is painful or experiencing sharp pain

In matters of TMJ exams, the muscles scored as the most painful are typically two distinct muscles in the mouth connected to the temporomandibular joint, or TMJ. Not everyone with a bad bite will have a TMJ disorder, but if you are in dental related pain it is important to seek the professional insight of your dentist.

2. Dr. Brightleaf carefully examines and measures the range of motion of the mouth and jaw. This involves carefully moving the head in small, isolated motions and may involve tests to discover how well the joints can withstand pressure and movement. A Joint Derangement Test may also be used to examine the condition of the temporomandibular joint itself.

3. A neuromuscular questionnaire is used to determine the likelihood of a TMJ disorder, observing TMJ symtoms, records of dental injuries, previous treatment methods and narrowing the location and severity of any dental pain. Below is a limited list of common symptoms:

Jaw pain, jaw clicking, jaw locking, limited mouth opening, facial pain, neck pain, headaches, migraines, morning head pain, ringing in the ear, dizziness, nocturnal teeth grinding, frequent heavy snoring and pain when chewing