At the dental clinic of Kelley Mingus in Bend, Oregon, we help our patients understand the importance of integrative oral health. One key area of focus refers to TMJ (temporomandibular joint disorder) and its possible effects on the body, such as causing sore throats.
In drawing this connection, numerous patients consulted Dr. Kelley Mingus because of the symptoms that disrupted their daily lives. They suffered from jaw pain, headaches, and intriguingly, persistent sore throats. These symptoms, although seemingly unrelated, all pointed to one potential culprit: TMJ disorder.
The Mechanics of TMJ
The temporomandibular joint connects the jaw to the temporal bones of the skull. This hinge is what allows you to move your jaw up and down, side to side. When this joint is misaligned or inflamed, it can result in the condition known as TMJ disorder.
Several factors may contribute to TMJ disorder, including:
- Teeth grinding
- Jaw misalignment
- Stress
- Injury to the jaw joint
- Rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ
The apparent signs of TMJ disorder usually involve pain in the jaw, migraines, difficulty in opening or closing the mouth, and several others. However, it’s not uncommon for TMJ disorder to cause symptoms that seem unconnected to the jaw, such as sore throats.
How TMJ Disorder Causes Sore Throats
While a sore throat isn’t an obvious TMJ symptom, the two can be linked in a few ways. When patients come to see Dr. Kelley Mingus suspecting they have TMJ, having consistent sore throats is a key pointer that leads to an accurate diagnosis.
Local Inflammation
A primary reason for the link between TMJ and a sore throat is local inflammation. The inflammation due to TMJ can extend into the throat, resulting in a persistent sore throat.
Muscle Tension
Another contributing reason for the sore throat is chronic muscle tension. As your body tries to protect the troubled TMJ, the nearby muscles may stay on constant alert. This sustained muscle tension can result in a sore throat.
Nerve Interactions
In some cases, the sore throat could be due to referred pain. The TMJ hosts a complex network of nerves and muscles that weave their way to other structures in the body, including the throat.
Treating TMJ to Alleviate Sore Throats
While addressing the discomfort from sore throats is important, identifying and addressing the root cause is critical. TMJ treatment focuses on removing the underlying cause of the pain and discomfort. Our own Dr. Kelley Mingus employs personalized and targeted TMJ treatments that rely on advanced TMJ therapy and a patient-centered approach.
Addressing Stress
Consistently high stress levels can result in behaviors that exacerbate TMJ disorder such as teeth grinding or jaw clenching. Learning stress management techniques can therefore be a key part of managing TMJ-related symptoms.
Physical Therapy
In some cases, physical therapy might be recommended. This therapy can help strengthen your jaw muscles, reduce pain, and prevent your symptoms from worsening in the future.
Oral Appliances
Dr. Kelley Mingus often recommends an oral appliance to hold your jaw in a more relaxed position. This can help relieve muscle tension and inflammation, reducing pain not only in your jaw but in your throat as well.
Our dental clinic remains committed to pursuing the most suitable treatment methods for each patient’s unique needs. By aligning the jaw and reducing tension, we work towards rectifying the TMJ disorder and easing symptoms, including persistent sore throats.
Conclusion
If you’re suffering from a persistent sore throat alongside other symptoms such as jaw pain and recurrent headaches, TMJ disorder just might be the root cause. We invite you to reach out to our dental clinic in Bend, Oregon, founded by Dr. Kelley Mingus. Together, let’s discover the right treatment options for your TMJ disorder and say goodbye to the consistent discomfort you’ve been experiencing.