Although practitioners other than dentists treat headaches and popping and clicking jaws, the real clue to successful treatment is identifying the correct source. It’s not often obvious that head, neck and shoulder pain stem from a dental condition. What I’m about to disclose here might test your credibility, so bear with me. I’ll disclose what’s behind some of these “mysterious” head, neck and dental pains, but first here’s a real life scenario that unfolds in my office regularly!
A 52 year old St Louis woman came to me out of desperation. After suffering from migraines for decades, I was the last resort, so to speak, after a string of failures with other treatments. The popping jaw was the first indication that the source of the pain could be stemming from a misaligned bite caused by a jaw joint that was out of place. With x-rays and extensive diagnosis, I isolated the cause of her condition and we immediately went into treatment with the result of no more headaches.
I follow the school of simplicity. That is, if the solution starts sounding too complex, I know I’m probably on the wrong trail. That approach has enabled me to help patients out of pain and eliminate unnecessary dental procedures.
Another patient came to me having decided to undergo surgery to “fix” the popping and clicking in her jaw that began after an accident. The hospital date was scheduled and a friend suggested she double-check with me before going through with the surgery. After examining her, I diagnosed that her jaw joint was out of place and convinced her to postpone the surgery. I had to twist her arm, but she agreed. Three months later all traces of the condition were gone, at a fraction of the cost and without the trauma.
Another woman came to me with headaches and clicking jaws. Turns out her orthodontic treatment followed by a tonsillectomy had put enough strain on the jaw to throw off her bite. Once a corrective appliance was made to put her jaw back in place, the condition evaporated.
That’s why we always take more x-rays at my office than is customary. I don’t launch into fixing teeth or doing cosmetics before ensuring your bite is correct. It would be like doing interior decorating on a house that’s built on a cracked foundation.
More about this can be found in my free downloadable ebook: Lifetime Smile.
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