When you think of jaw pain where do you think to go? Usually the dentist, right? What if I told you that chiropractic can help jaw pain? If there isn’t a “tooth” problem, chiropractic is very effective in treating jaw pain.

There are different reasons for having jaw issues and pain.

Temporomandibular joint disfunctions (TMD) are the most common cause of jaw pain, affecting nearly 10 million Americans. The temporomandibular joints are the hinge joints on each side of your jaw, which allow your lower jaw to open.

Several things can cause TMD jaw pain. It’s also possible to experience TMD due to several causes at the same time. Causes of TMD include:

• Pain from the muscles that control jaw movement
• Injury to the upper neck causing muscle tightness
• Injury to the jaw joint
• Excess stimulation of the jaw joint
• A displaced disc that usually helps cushion the movements of the jaw

Damage to the jaw joint or the muscles that control your jaw movement can be caused by several factors, including:

• Trauma to the upper neck
• Grinding your teeth at night
• Clenching your jaw
• Trauma to the jaw joint, such as a car accident, or getting hit in the face while playing sports

Root Cause of TMD

Cervical trauma is noted in 145 research studies of 148 total in the Literature Reference of November 1994. Noting whiplash being the most common cause of aggravating a Temporomandibular joint.

Pullinger, A.G., et al. Trauma history in diagnostic groups of TMD. UCLA School of Dentistry, May 1991. ” Patients with TMD have a higher prevalence of trauma history, compared to those without TMD!”

In the exam to see where the pain is originating from, the ability to open the jaw is assessed. This is accomplished by palpating both joints while the patient is actively opening and closing their mouth. Clicking and popping can be noted on exam. As well as, if one side opens faster than the other. 

Chiropractic

There are several things a chiropractor can do to help with pain and joint dysfunction. At our office we use high volt and ultrasound along with cold laser to help with the muscle component of TMD. We adjust the upper neck (as it is noted above) for alignment of the neck and jaw. (We can also adjust the jaw, if the examination reveals that it is warranted.) Muscle stripping can be used, although it is typically very tender.

In the case of TMD being aggravated because of teeth issues, a chiropractor can work with a dentist to help solve both issues.

If you have any questions on how chiropractic can help with your jaw issues, give us or a chiropractor near you a call. Chiropractic is whole body wellness that looks at the cause of pain.

~Dr. Lacey~
Carder Chiropractic Clinic, INC.
El Reno, OK 73036