Many of us don’t want to admit how much our chronic pain is affecting our lives, but sometimes you have to take an accounting of just how much TMJ or other chronic pain is limiting your activities.
The Impact of Jaw Pain
Jaw pain is one of the most common symptoms of TMJ, and it can significantly limit your daily activities. One of the most common problems people report is difficulty eating with TMJ. If you find yourself skipping foods you would otherwise enjoy, such as steak, popcorn, or crusty bread, then it’s time to talk to someone about your jaw pain. Even having to do special preparations for your food, such as cutting up apples or removing corn from the cob, can be a nuisance and limits your enjoyment.
Many people with TMJ also find that jaw pain impacts them when they talk, laugh, or smile. This can be a daily drag, and can make it hard for you to enjoy or even participate in interactions with family, friends, or coworkers.
Jaw pain even invades the innermost parts of your life. It can make it hard for you to sleep, and it can make intimate time with your partner less enjoyable.
Migraines Impact Your Entire Family
Daily headaches can also have a significant impact on your daily life. You may have to miss work for your disabling headaches. In fact, Americans miss about 110 million workdays each year because of migraines. But that’s not all that will be impacted.
A recent study revealed just how much migraines impact your family life. About three-quarters of migraine sufferers (73%) feel they would be better spouses but for their migraines. And more than half (59%) felt their migraines made them worse parents. Problems like being irritable and emotional or skipping family activities can make a major impact on your family life.
You Don’t Have to Live a Limited Life
But there is hope. If you have TMJ, we can likely reduce or eliminate your jaw pain and headaches using drug-free treatments. Imagine what you could do with more pain-free days, fewer limits, and greater freedom to enjoy the life you want.
To learn whether TMJ treatment in Westchester County can help you live a richer life, please call (914) 526-2144 for an appointment with a TMJ dentist at Advanced Dentistry of Mohegan Lake.
