We promise to do everything in our power to keep you safe. But, if you regularly struggle with cramping from smiling, it could be due to a dental-related issue, such as misalignment of the teeth, or even TMJ disorder. Muscle pains throughout the face and jaw are often caused by Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, a condition that may affect as many as 10 million Americans.
Face, jaw, mouth and even ear pain can be caused by TMJ disorder. There are a host of reasons that TMJ can bring about a sharp pain whenever you open your mouth. Symptoms include:. Successful TMJ treatment often includes orthodontic assistance. Misaligned teeth and bites often cause jaw joint problems, so it responds well to braces. Smiles for Life Orthodontics specializes in helping patients to overcome TMJ syndrome so that they can have a pain-free smile.
When should you seek help for your aching jaw? In general, professionals say that home remedies like rest and ice are useful first steps. Avoid chewy foods and concentrate on relaxing your jaw. If home remedies fail to curb the pain, it is time to seek professional assistance. The pain people experience will vary between people but the common short-term side-effects are generally what gets mentioned above. Longer-term side effects of a condition like bruxism can become a little more severe.
The long-term effects of bruxism can cause the gradual wearing down and straining of your teeth over time. There is little that can get done to teeth that have already become flattened, but people who have flattened issues with their teeth often experience a variety of different trips to the dentist for chipped, cracked, and otherwise damaged teeth, which proves to be quite costly. Not having your teeth grind late at night can alleviate many of the symptoms you experience even throughout the daylight hours.
Please contact us to make a consultation appointment at your earliest convenience to see how we can meet your oral health needs starting today. At age 10, Kevin told his parents that he wanted to do what most people do without giving it a second thought. He knew it would be a long, painful, difficult procedure, but it was one he wanted to undergo.
In some eastern cultures, smiling is seen as a form of enlightened wisdom Credit: Getty Images. But as he was still growing, the numb patch began to shrink as the neural network took over its function. Once Nguyen was certain the nerve was in place and functioning, it was time for the second stage of the surgery. Nguyen removed a 12cm 4. Nothing was moving. All of a sudden, he was smiling. It was a really incredible moment. Kevin needed regular occupational therapy sessions to get to where he is today.
He performs exercises and puts on purple latex gloves to pull at the inside of his cheek. Physical rehabilitation is the part of the surgical process that often gets overlooked, but it can make the difference between success and failure.
It actually feels great now. Before it felt weird to not smile. Two pairs of muscles connected to our temples help us form a smile Credit: Getty Images. When I laughed, before, I laughed weird.
And right now, they know, bit by bit, that I was trying to smile, I was expressing my laughter and my smile. This is an edited version of an article originally published by Mosaic, and is reproduced under a Creative Commons licence.
The photographs fall outside of this licence and remain copyrighted as indicated. If you liked this story, sign up for the weekly bbc. Mosaic Future Health. The people who cannot smile. Share using Email. By Neil Steinberg 21st June
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