Sore Teeth

TMJ Dentist Norfolk

Waking with Sore Teeth

Waking up in the morning with sore teeth is a classic sign of temporomandibular disorder (TMJ/TMD). When the teeth do not fit together properly (occlusion) your body will subconsciously want to put the bite in a position that it finds most comfortable. As a result of the incorrect bite, the jaw will slide from the comfortable position to the “bad bite” position. Many times the teeth will be together when this occurs causing the teeth to grind or clench. The dental term for grinding teeth is bruxism. Many patients subconsciously grind their teeth at night. This chronic clenching and grinding irritate the ligaments that hold the teeth in the jaw. The irritation many times causes pain and increased sensitivity to hot and cold liquids and foods.

It is not uncommon for a patient to think they have an infected tooth needing a root canal because the pain is so severe. A properly trained dentist in Neuromuscular Dentistry and occlusion (the bite) can identify the cause of the pain and discomfort and suggest the appropriate course of treatment.

Dr. Carol F. Morgan, DDS and her team can help your pain associated with TMJ disorders whether you live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Suffolk, Hampton, Newport News, York County, Williamsburg or any other surrounding city in Hampton Roads.

Loose Teeth

Virginia Beach TMJ Dentist

Loose Teeth

People who suffer from Temporomandibular disorder (TMJ / TMD) many times indicate that one or more of their teeth feel loose. This often occurs when they wake in the morning. This common symptom is a direct result of a patient clenching or grinding their teeth. The chronic clenching and grinding applies undue stress on the ligaments that hold the teeth into the jaw. Similar to the repeated bending of a paper clip that eventually breaks, applying repeated stresses to the teeth will loosen the grip that the ligaments have on the teeth.

This condition will likely lead to periodontial disease. It is important that you find the correct skilled dentist to consult to address this problem. A Neuromuscular Dentist is trained in reducing the symptoms of TMJ / TMD and addressing the root cause of the problem. If you find that you have loose teeth, you may have the symptoms of Temporomandibular disorder. Dr. Morgan can help.

Dr. Carol F. Morgan, DDS, can help you if you have loose teeth associated with TMJ disorders whether you live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, York County, Williamsburg or any other surrounding city in Hampton Roads.

Jaw Pain

Virginia Beach TMJ Dentist

Jaw Pain

When there is disharmony with how your teeth fit together (bad bite or malocclusion), classic Temporomandiblar disorder (TMD / TMJ) symptoms may follow. Patients often complain of clenching or grinding their teeth, or having to chew on one side of the mouth or the other. These symptoms may cause unequal stresses on the muscles that are used to move the jaw during normal activities of daily living. The muscles often fatigue and become sore or spasm and cause pain.

Many patients throughout Virginia complain of jaw pain or tiredness of their jaw muscles. They may see several dentists that may simply suggest a night guard because they usually grind their teeth. You may also be suggested to try a deprogrammer or discluder device. This type of treatment without the proper diagnostics tests and workup is like putting a bandage on a broken arm. One size does not fit all and every patient’s diagnosis and treatment plan are different.

A Neuromuscular Dentist can help alleviate jaw pain related to TMJ / TMD by realigning the bite. Once the jaw is back into its natural and most relaxed position the surrounding muscles can also resume their natural painless function.

Dr. Carol F. Morgan, DDS, can help your jaw pain associated with TMJ disorders whether you live in Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, Hampton, Newport News, York County, Williamsburg or any other surrounding city in Hampton Roads.