How Your Misaligned Jaws Can Cause Chronic Pain
At Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas, we are concerned with the whole patient – not just what is going in the mouth. Our approach means that we take into consideration many different factors when treating you. For example, if you’re suffering from chronic neck pain, it’s a concern. If you’re living with a stiff neck, or pain in the back and shoulders, we want to know.
Why? Well, because you may not have a back problem.
Wait. What?
That’s right; you may not have a back problem at all. You may have a jaw problem.
Wait. What?
Yes, a jaw problem! Did you know that if your jaw is out of position, it can negatively affect the position of your spine? But why?
The Importance of Your Spine
Well, your spine is a very intricate and delicate structure. It’s made up of bones (vertebrae), discs (located between each bone), facet joints, nerves, and muscles. If something is out of place in the body – be it your shoulder, your hip or your jaw – it can pull your spine out of place, too.
As a result of this situation, also called a dysfunction, other things move out of place, too. If your jaw is in the wrong position, it can pull the muscles in your neck out of their natural position, which then pulls the bones of your neck out of place.
This then affects your shoulder, back, hip, and even can make the sole of your foot hurt, too!
But how?
The answer is everything in your body is connected through muscles and fascia tissue. So, when one piece is out of place, the whole picture changes.
How Does a Jaw Get Out of Place?
There are a few ways that your jaw can get out of place. One is trauma. Jaw trauma can happen as a result of an accident, fall, getting hit in the face, or a sports-related injury. Trauma can mean your jaw is fractured, broken, or dislocated. Trauma very frequently means your jaw is knocked out of place. You may not even notice it at first, but your body will – and signs will show up over time.
Another reason is a congenital disability. Some people are born with a natural crooked jaw, a situation known as “faulty jaw.” Faulty jaw can be treated with surgery or with orthodontic/dental care and lifestyle changes.
One of the most common causes of an out of place jaw is a bad bite. If your teeth are misaligned, your jaw is constantly held in an incorrect – and uncomfortable – position. By correcting your bite, your jaw position can be corrected.
Consequences of Jaw Misalignment
If your jaw is out of place, not only is neck pain a common side effect, but many people also report jaw pain, ear pain, clenching, migraine/headaches, and jaw dysfunction such as stiffness, clicking, popping, and in severe cases locking open or closed.
Are you experiencing chronic neck, back, or shoulder pain, jaw pain, unexplained ear pain, or other symptoms that could be related to jaw malpositioning? We would love to talk to you! Give Millennium Smiles in Frisco, Texas, a call today at 972-987-4899 now to schedule an appointment.