Is Your Bad Bite a Pain in the Neck?

28 Dec 2024

Did you know that the way your teeth come together affects all the muscles of your head and neck?

Benage Dental Care

Yes, a bad bite can cause neck pain. When your teeth do not meet evenly, the jaw muscles hold the jaw in a strained position, and those muscles connect to the muscles of the neck and shoulders. The result is often morning headaches, migraines, jaw clicking, ear pressure, and a stiff or aching neck. At Benage Dental Care in Cleburne, TX, Dr. Benage evaluates the bite with T-Scan digital analysis and treats it with custom orthotics, splint therapy, MLS laser therapy, and night guards. Call (817) 641-6261 to schedule a TMJ evaluation.

How Does a Bad Bite Cause Neck Pain and Headaches?

The teeth, jaws, TMJ, and muscles of the head and neck are all intimately connected. If your bite, or the way your teeth fit together, is in a position that is uncomfortable for the muscles, then one of two things can happen. The muscles can win the battle and force the teeth to a place that is more comfortable. This will result in wear and fracturing of teeth, but patients will rarely have any symptoms of pain. The second possibility is that the teeth win the battle and continuously posture the muscles in an uncomfortable position. This will result in migraines, headaches, neck pain, and/or pain in the TMJ. Think of it this way. If you wear a high heel on one foot and a flip flop on the other foot and go for a 5 mile hike, it will be more than just your feet that hurt. Your knees, hips and back will also feel this imbalance. It is the same with our bite. If the bite is in a bad position it causes strain on all the muscles related to this poor positioning. We will even posture our head differently if our bite is uneven. This causes strain in our upper spine.

How Is a Bad Bite Treated?

So, what can we do about it? What if we could change the way your teeth fit together to make the muscles comfortable again, and bring the TMJ, bite, and muscles back in harmony? WE CAN! It all starts with an initial TMJ consultation. We can measure the activity of the muscles of the head and neck to find the exact position that will be most comfortable for you. Then, we test drive this position with a device called an orthotic. The orthotic fits over your lower teeth and repositions the lower jaw to a physiologic position that’s comfortable to the muscles. Many patients experience relief from their pain and headaches almost immediately. For others the joint and muscles need a little time to heal. During the orthotic phase of treatment, the position of the jaws is fine-tuned until symptoms are resolved or significantly improved.

What Happens After the Orthotic Phase?

Now that the orthotic has helped to find that harmony between the joints, muscles, and jaws, the next step is to move the teeth to that harmonious position. This can be accomplished several ways. Teeth can be orthodontically moved to the new position, or the teeth can be restored with crowns and/or veneers to the physiologic position, or a combination of these methods may be utilized. Ultimately the result is a pain-free, beautiful smile to last you a lifetime!

Bad Bite and TMJ FAQs

Can TMJ cause neck pain?

Yes. The temporomandibular joint and the muscles that move it share nerve pathways and attachments with the neck and shoulder muscles. When the jaw is strained by a bad bite, clenching, or grinding, the neck muscles compensate, which shows up as stiffness, aching, and tension headaches.

What does a TMJ evaluation involve?

At Benage Dental Care the evaluation includes a review of your symptoms, an exam of the jaw joints and muscles, and a T-Scan digital bite analysis that maps where your teeth hit too hard or too early. Some patients also have computerized joint analysis (BioPAK). The findings determine whether an orthotic, splint, laser therapy, or bite adjustment is the right first step.

Do you treat TMJ headaches in Cleburne?

Yes. Benage Dental Care at 302 N Ridgeway Dr in Cleburne, TX treats TMJ-related headaches, migraines, and neck pain with custom orthotics and splint therapy, Micro TENS muscle therapy, MLS laser therapy, and night guards. Call (817) 641-6261 to book an evaluation.

Find Relief From Bite-Related Neck Pain in Cleburne, TX

If you wake up with headaches, hear your jaw click, or carry constant tension in your neck, your bite may be the reason. Book a TMJ evaluation with Benage Dental Care in Cleburne, TX or call (817) 641-6261.