Got Headaches? Go See Your Dentist

    WASHINGTON, DC, June 03, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- If you suffer from chronic headaches, you are not alone. Millions of Americans have been struggling in vain for years to determine the cause of their chronic headaches. Unfortunately, it is possible to see a variety of specialists and never get any closer to the answer you are looking for. However, if this is the case, you may be seeing the wrong specialists. You should be consulting your dentist.

Why Should I See My Dentist for Headaches?

Frequently, chronic headaches are the result of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), a condition that affects your bite. If you suffer from TMD, your jaw is misaligned, causing your teeth to line up improperly. TMD is often very painful. Common symptoms of TMD include:

• Severe chronic headaches
• Jaw and facial pain
• Ringing in the ears
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Teeth grinding
• Popping or clicking of the jaw
• Restricted jaw movement

Fortunately, your headaches and other TMD symptoms can be alleviated with the principles of neuromuscular dentistry.

What is Neuromuscular Dentistry?

Neuromuscular dentistry is a specialization that focuses on the proper alignment of your jaw. Your neuromuscular dentist will work with you to devise a plan that will help you realign your jaw and bite so that you will not have to continue suffering the severe pain that often accompanies TMD.

Your neuromuscular dentist will first try to treat your TMD by alleviating painful symptoms. Once you are pain free, he will work to more permanently correct the problems with your bite.

TMD Treatments

Each case of TMD will require an individualized treatment plan. The first step is for your neuromuscular dentist to determine your jaw's ideal resting position. This is accomplished by measuring the relaxed position of your head and neck muscles.

Once your dentist has determined your ideal bite position, he will work to relieve the pain associated with your symptoms. This can be accomplished using a TENS unit (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation). This device will use electrical stimulation to relax your jaw muscles and increase blood flow to the region.

Once your pain is under control, your neuromuscular dentist can begin to stabilize and correct your bite. This is often accomplished using a custom orthotic. An orthotic is a mouthpiece that gets placed over your teeth. Your dentist can make adjustments to the device as it helps move your jaw back into alignment.

Other components of your TMD treatment may include:

• Dental work to reshape or reposition teeth that may contribute to your misaligned jaw
• Physical therapy
• Behavioral therapy
• Prescription medications to help with the pain

If you live in the Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C. area and believe that you may be suffering from TMD, please contact Softouch Dental Care today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Michael Chung.

Source: Softouch Dental Care
Website: http://www.softouchdentalcare.com

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