It’s common knowledge that TMJ disorder often leads to chronic jaw pain and frequent headaches. However, some symptoms related to this condition aren’t as well-known. Certain individuals who are suffering from TMJ-related problems may find that it’s harder to speak clearly and articulate their words properly. It’s important to recognize the impact that TMJ disorder can have on your speech and why it’s best to have the issue treated by a professional as promptly as possible.
What is TMJ Disorder?
The joints that allow you to move your lower jaw are called the temporomandibular joints, or TMJs for short. When the TMJs or the muscles around them are strained or injured, the result is a TMJ disorder that results in significant discomfort as well as restricted jaw movement. The exact cause of a TMJ disorder can vary; common culprits include frequent grinding of the teeth, a misaligned bite, and physical trauma involving the jaw.
TMJ Disorder and Speech Problems
An untreated TMJ disorder can contribute to the following speech issues:
- Slurred Speech: Sometimes a TMJ disorder can make it difficult to open your mouth all the way, thus causing you to slur your words.
- Vocal Fatigue: TMJ disorder creates tension in your jaw muscles, which can affect your vocal cords. This can cause you to quickly become tired or hoarse after speaking for a long time.
- Poor Breathing Habits: TMJ disorder is often associated with mouth breathing and shallow chest breathing. These habits can affect the way your words come out; in particular, mouth breathing can lead to poor articulation.
How Can You Treat TMJ Disorder and Improve Your Speech?
If your TMJ disorder is affecting your speech, your best option is to have it treated as soon as possible. Addressing the underlying problem will go a long way toward helping you speak clearly again.
The type of TMJ treatment that your dentist recommends largely depends on the underlying cause of your disorder. For example, in some cases, an improperly aligned bite may be putting excessive pressure on your jaw joints. This issue can often be corrected via equilibration, which involves slightly adjusting your teeth so that they come together evenly when you close your mouth. When your teeth line up properly, it helps reduce the strain on your TMJs.
If your jaw is out of alignment, your dentist may prescribe a customized occlusal splint. When you wear this device at night, it shifts the jaw slightly forward to help it find a better resting position. This lets your TMJs rest and recover, thus alleviating your discomfort.
In some cases, you might benefit from trigger point injections, which involve injecting small amounts of local anesthetic into specific parts of your jaw muscles. Not only does this help reduce your discomfort, but it also aids with healing.
The sooner that your TMJ disorder is diagnosed and treated by an expert, the sooner you can overcome your speech difficulties and jaw pain.
About the Practice
At Oak Ridge Dental, our dentists strive to make it as convenient as possible to get the high-quality care your smile deserves. We’ve been helping patients in San Ramon enjoy exceptional dental services since 1985. When it comes to treating TMJ disorders, we offer a wide range of options, including equilibration, occlusal splints, and trigger point injections. If you’re looking for lasting relief from TMJ-related pain, you can schedule an appointment at our office by visiting our website, using our online booking tool, or calling (925) 735-6190.
