Musculoskeletal Signs and Symptoms

Do you suffer form any of these?

• Headaches
• Jaw joint Pain
• Jaw joint noise or clicking
• Limited mouth opening
• Ear congestion
• Dizziness
• Ringing in the ears
• Difficulty swallowing
• Loose teeth
• Clenching or grinding
• Facial pain
• Sensitive teeth
• Chewing difficulties
• Neck pain
• Postural problems
• Tingling of the fingertips
• Hot & cold sensitivity of teeth
• Nervousness or insomnia

Pain or dysfunction of the head and neck is a very common condition and one that might be resolved very simply or might be very complex and frustrating to treat, depending on the circumstances.

The bite can be a factor in many types of pain or functional problems because of the inter-relationship of the overall musculoskeletal system.  Since there is a relationship between the teeth, jaw joints, head and neck muscles, and head posture, a problem in any one of these areas may affect others.  These can include painful clicking or popping of the jaw joint, various types of head and neck pain, swallowing problems, and excessive snoring or sleep apnea, just to name a few.

If it is suspected that you suffer from this type of problem, the neuromuscular dentist may ask you if you have any of the symptoms shown above.

In addition, they will be looking for a number of signs in your posture, appearance and condition of your teeth, and existing bite that might aid in diagnosis.  An imperfect bite often plays a significant role in these conditions and the dentist experienced in treating them may resolve the problem.  However, diagnosing these problems can be very difficult at times and may require the collective efforts of your dentist and other health care professionals.  These may include your physician, and ear, nose, and throat specialist,  physical therapist, chiropractor, or message therapist.