Not only is eye pain annoying, but it can also interfere with your ability to carry out important daily tasks, such as driving, reading, or working on a computer. Eye pain can have many different causes, quite a few of which are directly related to the eyes themselves. But did you know there is another possible cause that most people do not think about? Yes, TMJ disorder (TMD) might be to blame. This blog post discusses that fascinating connection.
How Does TMJ Disorder Cause Eye Pain?
Your temporomandibular joints (TMJs) are the joints that control movements of your lower jaw. They are complex and somewhat delicate. When they suffer damage or inflammation, symptoms of TMJ disorder start to develop. The most common symptoms are things like jaw pain, difficulty chewing, and popping and clicking in the jaw joints. However, eye pain can be another indication of TMD.
There are two sets of nerves that are responsible for carrying pain signals to your eyes. One set goes directly to your brain. The other travels through key facial muscles, including the temporalis muscles. These are located just behind your eyes, but one of their main functions is to support jaw movements. When your TMJs are not working properly, this can negatively affect the temporalis muscles and your eyes.
Another possible explanation for eye pain related to TMJ disorder is referred pain. The human body can get confused. Essentially, the true source of the problem may be somewhere other than your eyes, but your body misinterprets the signals, which can cause your eyes to hurt.
What Can You Do?
Many people find that when they treat their TMJ disorder, any associated eye pain also goes away.
TMD can be complex, and there is no one-size-fits-all treatment. However, there are some common approaches that provide relief to most patients. For example, you might benefit from an occlusal splint, a custom appliance that gently repositions your jaw so your joints and the surrounding muscles can relax. Or, you might need minor adjustments to your bite to relieve TMJ stress.
Eye pain and TMJ disorder have a surprisingly strong connection! Talk to your dentist if you suspect that your jaw joints need a bit of special care.
Meet the Practice
At New Haven Dental Group of Hamden, we are proud to provide top-quality care for our community. We offer non-invasive solutions for TMJ disorder, including occlusal splints and occlusal adjustments. If you are suffering from eye pain that you believe is related to TMD, we would be happy to assess your case and offer our professional advice. To learn more about us or to request a consultation, contact our office at 203-587-7327.