Dr. Mogell Dental Blog

Boca Raton Cosmetic Dentist

Headaches? It Could Be Your Jaw

Thursday, October 08, 2015

Do you suffer from frequent headaches? Headache is a common symptom for patients who are experiencing temporomandibular joint dysfunction, commonly called TMJ.

The jaw joint (TMJ) is one of the most complicated joints in the human body. Not only does it allow the jaw to move forward and backward, but up and down and side to side. This complicated joint is susceptible to damage from accidents, teeth grinding, poor bite and damaging personal habits.

Auto accidents or slip and fall accidents can damage the jaw joint. Many times, this damage will heal with proper care and leave no long term problems.

Patients with an incorrect bite due to old dental work or teeth misalignment can find relief from TMJ pain by correcting these conditions.

Patients who grind their teeth, a condition called bruxism, place a great deal of pressure on the jaw joint. The constant grinding can also crack or break teeth leading to expensive dental restoration. A specially designed orthotic can be used to protect teeth and keep the jaw joint in a position that minimizes stress on the muscles and joint.

Find out how to relieve your headache pain by contacting Dr. Kenneth A. Mogell in Boca Raton, FL today at 561-394-9000.

Labels: headache, TMJ

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What Causes TMJ Pain?

Wednesday, September 02, 2015

TMJ pain is terrible - headaches, facial pain, jaw soreness, some even experience neck and back pain. Getting a proper diagnosis and treatment for TMJ problems can be problematic.

Many patients travel from doctor to doctor for years before discovering that their "migraine" isn't in there head, but rather in their jaw joint.

What causes TMJ pain? There are a lot of answers for this question. Some patients have experienced an accident or fall that caused temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Other patients grind their teeth and caused the joint to become damaged. Arthritis, old dental restorations and a poor bite are a few more reasons that the muscles and jaw joint starts causing discomfort.

Treatment for TMJ dysfunction can vary depending upon the cause of the problem. Old dental restorations that have become loose may need to be replaced. A poor bite may be corrected through dental restorations or orthodontics.

Most cases of TMJ dysfunction can be managed using a combination of a dental device that is designed to place the jaw in the optimal position for relaxation and appropriate home care such as avoiding certain foods or avoiding certain physical actions that might cause muscle spasms or pain.

Find out more about TMJ treatment in Boca Raton and Delray Beach by contacting neuromuscular dentist Dr. Kenneth A. Mogell at 561-394.9000.

Labels: headache, teeth grinding, TMJ

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Holiday Stress and TMJ Pain

Friday, December 27, 2013

Feeling a little stressed out over the holidays? Don't feel bad, the holiday season includes travel, visits with relatives and way too many late nights.

All of these things can make us happy but can also increase the stress levels. For lots of people a higher stress level can translate into headaches and jaw pain.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ or jaw joint) is the most complex joint in the body and it is surrounded by incredibly strong muscles and, as a bonus, a very large facial nerve runs very close to it.

This is a perfect combination for creating painful TMJ problems if you clench or grind your teeth. Some people clench or grind (called bruxism) due to stress but most of us don't even realize we are doing it. Most bruxism occurs at night when we are sleeping so unless your bed partner hears the gnawing or your dentist sees your teeth breaking down - you'll never know until you develop symptoms.

Migraine headache, neck pain, facial pain, jaw clicking, even pain in the shoulders and back can be connected to TMJ problems.

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms please contact Boca Raton TMJ dentist Dr. Ken Mogell at 561-394-9000 to schedule a consultation.

Until your appointment here are a few tips:

Don't chew gum or eat anything chewey (bagels, etc)
For two weeks don't eat anything harder than cooked pasts
Avoid raw vegetables, including salad greens
Watch your posture, don't rest your chin on your hands or hold a phone between shoulder and ear
Practice "lips together, teeth apart" to rest the jaw muscles

Labels: headache, TMJ

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