Can Cavities Cause TMJ?
Suffering with dental issues is certainly no joke. If you’ve ever been unfortunate enough to suffer with toothache, jaw ache, or any other oral conditions causing pain and discomfort, you’ll know all too well just how awful they can make you feel.
Looking after our teeth is much harder than a lot of people realise. Sure, we know that brushing twice daily is recommended, as is flossing and regular dental check-ups, but in truth there’s so much more to it.
If your teeth are suffering, you may find that, as well as toothache, you also suffer with other ailments, including jaw ache, in the form of TMJ. But is there a link between cavities and TMJ and can cavities cause TMJ? Well, that’s what we’re going to find out today.
What are cavities?
Before we address the issue of can cavities cause TMJ, we first need to look at cavities in more detail.
Cavities are basically areas of the surface of the teeth that are permanently damaged. Sometimes known as tooth decay, these small areas of damage to the surface of the teeth eventually erode away the tooth, causing a small opening which gradually turns into a bigger and bigger hole.
Eventually, a large cavity inside the tooth has formed and can cause a great deal of pain and discomfort, along with an increased risk of other dental issues.
Cavities can be caused by a poor diet rich in sugar and heavily acidic food, by bacteria, by poor oral hygiene, or a combination of the factors we just mentioned.
What is TMJ?
TMJ is an acronym for the Temporomandibular Joint and is often used to describe a condition called TMD, which stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder.
This condition affects the movement and function of the jawbone and causes pain and stiffness in the jawbone and the muscles of the jawbone. Needless to say, this can be a very painful condition, especially when eating and chewing, though even talking with TMD can be a painful ordeal.
Can cavities cause TMJ?
One of the most frustrating things about TMJ is the fact that it can be so difficult to determine what is causing it because a whole variety of different factors can cause jaw ache.
But can cavities cause TMJ? Well, yes, there is indeed a link between dental damage and TMJ/TMD.
You see, tooth decay begins on the exterior surface of the tooth. If not addressed however, it spreads and eats away at the tooth, causing the hole in the tooth to become larger and larger.
If the cavity is not filled and/or the decay removed, it can spread deeper inside the tooth before penetrating the root of the tooth. When this happens, bacteria from within the cavity can spread to the root of the tooth, which can affect the surrounding gum tissue and jawbone tissue.
When this happens, significant jaw pain is often a common side effect.
Other common causes of jaw pain
So, in terms of can cavities cause TMJ, we now know that they can. Does this mean that every case of TMJ is caused by a cavity? Absolutely not.
TMJ/TMD can be caused by a number of contributing factors, including those we’re about to lay out below:
Grinding the teeth
A lot of people grind and/or clench their teeth, either through habit, when sleeping, or through stress. This can put a lot of pressure onto the joint of the jawbone and cause pain and discomfort.
Arthritis in the joint
Arthritis, which causes pain and inflammation in the joints can affect the joint of the jaw, thereby resulting in jaw pain.
Movement of the soft cushion or disc
Another common cause of jaw pain is movement of the soft cushion or disc located between the ball and the socket of the joint in the jaw.
Book your consultation today
If you’re suffering with jaw ache, toothache, cavities, or any other type of dental discomfort, pick up your phone and get in touch with us today.
We can treat a wide array of different dental issues, including TMJ, cavities, and much more. If you’re suffering, don’t suffer in silence, pick up the phone and book your consultation now.
