October 3, 2024
The jaw is a powerful and essential part of the human body. From eating and drinking to speaking and breathing, the jaw and mouth can play a crucial role. However, these actions can prove uncomfortable or painful if your jaw isn’t aligned.
Read here to learn what a misaligned jaw is, how to tell if you have one, and how a chiropractor can help!
What is a Misaligned Jaw?
A misaligned jaw, or malocclusion, is common for many people. Jaw misalignments occur when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet correctly, causing many issues. Mainly, there is difficulty chewing, speaking, and potentially breathing. There can be many causes, like overcrowding and gaps in the teeth.
How Common is Jaw Misalignment?
As mentioned before, jaw misalignment is a common issue. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), 75% of Americans have experienced some form of malocclusion.
Not all the cases of misaligned jaws need treatment. Unless there are severe symptoms causing trouble for you, serious treatments aren’t required. Many cases are only cosmetic concerns and need more conservative treatments.
Symptoms of a Misaligned Jaw
Various symptoms can significantly impact your overall well-being. Some misaligned jaw symptoms manifest independently, but most consistently, the symptoms occur in tandem. Some of the most common symptoms are:
- An uneven bite
- Facial pain or discomfort around the jaw
- Clicking or popping when opening or closing the mouth
- Frequent headaches, feeling like throbbing migraines
- Earaches
- Potential for dizziness
- Sleep disorders such as sleep apnea or snoring
If the headaches or migraines persist or the pain develops, contact a medical professional to diagnose the issue.
Causes of a Misaligned Jaw
A misaligned jaw has many underlying causes. Some of the most common include:
- Crooked Teeth
- Bruxism
- TMJ Dysfunction
- Jaw Injuries
More than an issue than it may seem, crooked teeth can seriously impact the functionality of your jaw. This can be caused by genetics and your teeth growing improperly with no correction, consistent thumb-sucking, or incorrect tongue posture while the area develops. Crowding and crooked teeth can contribute to over and underbites, which in turn can develop into a misaligned jaw to accommodate the change.
Grinding or clenching your teeth, referred to as bruxism, is as problematic as a misaligned jaw. When the jaw is clenched so hard, the teeth can crack or break and damage the temporomandibular joints. Excessive clenching can lead to pain, stiffness, and muscle fatigue. Over time, bruxism can result in TMJ dysfunction and develop or worsen misalignment.
The temporomandibular joints, one on each side of the head, connect the lower jaw to the base of the skull. When afflicted with a condition such as displacement or subluxation, these joints can induce jaw misalignment. The most common signs of TMJ Dysfunction are pain, difficulty opening or closing the mouth, and potentially spasms. Clicking or popping sounds when opening or closing are also common.
Fractures, dislocations, and displacements are all causes of misalignment. Whether they come from accidents, sports injuries, falls, or any other misadventure, they all have the potential to shift the lower jaws’ alignment. Improper treatment or healing can also contribute to misalignment.
How Do Chiropractors Adjust Misaligned Jaws?
When you first visit your chiropractor, they will identify the issues you’re experiencing and diagnose the cause of your pain or discomfort. After they diagnose, your chiropractor will use any of the following tools to realign your jaw and relieve pain:
- Manual TMJ adjustments
- Jaw muscle massages
- Neck repositioning
- Jaw adjustment and massage
- Joint workouts
- TMJ activator with a spring-loaded handle
Your chiropractor may use one or many of these techniques to assist but do not attempt them without obtaining input from a medical professional.
About the Author: With over three decades of experience, Dr. Jere Jarrett is a highly educated and experienced chiropractor who serves Clearwater, FL, and the surrounding areas. He takes a “whole-body” approach to chiropractic care. Instead of treating symptoms, Dr. Jarrett looks for the underlying cause of pain and discomfort. Call 727-447-4647 to schedule an appointment!