WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOU HEAR A CLICKING IN YOUR JAW JOINT?
The jaw joints, technically known as temporomandibular joints (TMJs), are located in front of the ears, being responsible for all jaw movements. The TMJs never rest while we are awake; through the day, we are constantly speaking, yawning, chewing and swallowing (saliva, food, drinks). The jaw joints are among the most complex joints in the body, being often overlooked by dentists and physicians.
Under healthy conditions, a normal jaw joint does not make any sound when opening the mouth or when moving the lower jaw. Clicking indicates that something is wrong in the joint. If the clicking or popping is associated with pain and discomfort, there is enough reason to get your orthodontist to investigate your jaw joint, because it can be a sign of dysfunction in the TMJ.
BITE ISSUES CAN BE LINKED TO JAW CLICKING
When teeth are out of alignment, they do not close properly; thus every time they bite together, the muscles work harder to compensate for the imbalance.
When the jaw muscles overwork, the TMJ is affected. The tension spreads to the joint; its ligaments, nerves and arteries can get pinched or over streched, resulting in poor joint function. The disc that lies between the two bones inside the joint (the lower jaw and the skull bone) can be misplaced when opening the mouth, causing the clicking, popping or grinding noises. The muscle tension can lead to other problems, such as jaw locking, pain, difficulty when opening and closing the mouth.
Hence, a bad bite can cause a lot of trouble and it can affect the rest of the body. Head, neck, shoulders, back and even hips can suffer the consequences of a bad bite.
JAW CLICKING CAN BE IMPROVED BY MEDICAL ORTHODONTICS
Orthodontics integrates beautiful smiles with a functional bite to provide local benefits for oral health and general benefits for the whole body. A balanced bite means better function for jaw muscles, allowing the muscles to relax, thus improving the function of the joint. With better conditions, the clicking is likely to disappear.
ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT: THE BEST WAY TO CORRECT YOUR BITE IS THROUGH CLEAR ALIGNER THERAPY
Nearly all bite problems can be corrected through clear aligner therapy, including open bite, deep bite, cross bite, crowding, crooked teeth, narrow arches, jaw misalignments and more. These discrete devices provide a different approach, as compared to braces, as they are removable and hardly noticed due to their transparency.
The aligners are custom-made based on a computer program and fit snugly over the teeth. When you eat and clean your teeth, all you need to do is remove the trays, which are replaced every few weeks. Thus, teeth and bone are gently pushed into better positions to change the bite and the appearance of the smile.
The alignment of your bite is critical for your muscles, for you jaw joint and for your whole body.
If your jaw clicks, do not wait until it gets worse. Get an appointment with your orthodontist.