TMD, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, affects the facial nerves, jaw muscles, and joints of the mouth and head. If you experience pain in any of these areas, popping or clicking when you open your mouth, sensitive teeth not caused by dental problems, or tender jaw muscles, you may have TMD. One other symptom is mood disorder. If your mood has changed while experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be at further risk for other problems.
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, mood disorders, and stress are all linked since they have similar symptoms. It is important to understand the connection between TMD and mood disorders if you happen to experience symptoms from either disorder. Your jaw joint is one of the most complicated body parts and it can become misaligned fairly easily, causing the muscles to spasm which will lead to nerve pain. Everyone deals with stress and it can take a toll on your daily life if not dealt with accordingly. Constant stress over a prolonged period of time can be harmful to your health and the symptoms of stress can lead to TMD.
Our bodies can only handle small doses of stress at a time. Prolonged stress has a negative effect on your body, especially when you also suffer from TMD disorder. Stress will make your muscles become tense and sore and TMD will only make it worse for you, causing more pain such as migraines. Stress also leads to grinding of the teeth, and if done unconsciously, will lead to the premature wear and tear of teeth fillings, and even fractured teeth.
Take control of the situation and your mood. Protect your smile by getting a checkup with your dentist. You may be a candidate for neuromuscular dentistry. The dentists at C and C Dentistry specialize in working with TMD sufferers and can talk with you about the effects of Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction and what you can do about it. Don’t allow TMD to affect your mood and wellbeing. Make an appointment with C and C Dentistry today.