Did you know that a misaligned jaw or bite can cause head, neck and shoulder pain?
Did also you know that it affects millions of American each and every day? Finally, did you know that this situation is easily treatable if diagnosed correctly? If you didn’t know those things, this post is for you.
Aesthetic Family Dentistry sees a number of issues where a misaligned jaw or bad bite (malocclusion) causes seemingly unrelated discomfort. As holistic dentists, we are well versed in treating the body as a single organism rather than a series of isolated systems. That’s good news if you’re suffering with head, neck or shoulder pain as it can be caused by dental issues and we are perfectly placed to deal with them.
Common causes of head, neck and shoulder pain
Some common dental causes of head, neck and shoulder pain can include the misaligned jaw or bad bite we mentioned earlier. It can also be caused by TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder. Despite having some serious symptoms, these causes can have relatively simple, non-surgical treatments. All of which we can provide.
Your head is supported by a series of muscles in your head, neck, jaw and shoulders. They all work in concert to keep your head upright and mobile. If one of these muscles isn’t working properly, head, neck and shoulder pain can result. Jaw tension is a common cause of this, as is a misaligned jaw or malocclusion.
When a muscle is in use, it contracts to apply pressure in the desired direction. If you’re tense, your muscles can stay in that contracted position. This can disrupt your posture and the normal movement of the body. Also, when your jaw contracts, it pulls other muscles in the neck, head and shoulder. It can also cause the atlas and axis bones in the neck to move out of alignment, which can also contribute to the discomfort.
You other muscles will compensate to try to balance that tense or misaligned jaw. This can either tire them out quickly or move your spine out of alignment. Both of which can contribute to your discomfort.
All of these things can have a disruptive effect on your body, resulting in discomfort, difficulty chewing, poor sleep and a range of other symptoms. Here at Aesthetic Family Dentistry, we have a selection of non-invasive treatments for head, neck and shoulder pain. With the proper diagnosis and treatment, we can address the discomfort and restore your quality of life.
Why not schedule an appointment at Aesthetic Family Dentistry today? We’re here to help!
