OROFACIAL PAIN

Did you know you swallow approximately 2,000 times per day? When you swallow, the upper and lower teeth come together and some level of force is generated. People who have an unstable bite, missing teeth, or poorly aligned teeth can have trouble because the muscles work harder to bring the teeth together, causing strain. People with seemingly good teeth/bite are also susceptible. Pain can also be caused by clenching or grinding teeth, trauma to the head and neck, or poor ergonomics.

Orofacial pain includes a number of clinical problems involving the chewing (masticatory) muscles or temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Problems can include TMJ discomfort, muscle spasms in the head, neck or jaw, migraines, cluster or frequent headaches, pain with the teeth, face or jaw, anxiety and depression.
Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) affect more than 10 million Americans. Your TMJ’s are located where the skull connects your lower jaw to the muscles on the sides of your head and face. They control the joint’s movements. Women between the ages of 20 and 40 are the most frequent sufferers because of the added estrogen in their bodies. Estrogen impacts the body’s natural pain fighters (endorphins), increases inflammation in the temporomandibular joints, and compromises the strength and adaptive ability of all ligaments.

One in eight Americans suffer from headaches. Experts estimate that 80 percent of all headaches are caused by muscle tension, which may be related to the bite. Clenching the jaw muscles creates tension in the muscles that close the jaw, the main one of which is the temporalis muscle. Signs that may indicate a headache from dental origin include: pain behind the eyes, sore jaw muscles or “tired” muscles upon awaking, teeth grinding, clicking or popping of the jaw joints, head and/or scalp is painful to the touch, earaches or ringing, neck and/or shoulder pain, and dizziness.

Sleep disorders can also play a role. If you have gone through treatment and still experience orofacial pain, you may have a sleep disorder, such as bruxism (grinding), or a sleep-related breathing disorder, such as snoring or sleep apnea. I’ll be writing more on this throughout the year, as it is a special area of interest for me.

Your dentist has a variety of treatments that can help relieve your orofacial symptoms. One device is called an orthotic, or splint, that is worn over the teeth to help stabilize the bite. Permanent correction may require equilibration (reshaping teeth), building crowns, or orthodontics. Many use a splint on a daily basis to avoid having these other treatments done.

Other things that can help alleviate pain are using ice on the painful area, eating a softer diet and avoiding chewing gum or ice, being conscious to keep teeth slightly apart except when chewing and swallowing, sleeping on your back and not resting your hand on your chin.

Orofacial pain can range from tolerable to debilitating. Maintaining or correcting your bite ensures optimal health, and proper care will help reduce or eliminate orofacial pain or discomfort. If your dentist can not help you, ask for a referral to a specialist.