Uneven Jaw

If you have an uneven jaw, you may have some difficulty or pain associated with eating, sleeping, talking, or even breathing. In some cases, an uneven jaw can be treated with physical therapy, braces, retainers, but in severe cases, oral surgery may be necessary. We at Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics want to make sure that our patients live a pain-free life. Dr. Wong specializes in orthodontic treatment and can assess the severity of an uneven jaw, and recommend a course of action.

Signs that you may have an uneven jaw:

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  Temple pain

  
  


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  Jaw joint pain

  
  


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  Jaw clicking

  
  


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  Tight jaw

  
  


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  Shoulder or back pain

  
  


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  Popping in the ear

  
  

 

Some causes of an uneven jaw include jaw trauma, birth defects or teeth misalignment. For temporary relief, ice or an over-the-counter pain reliever can be used. But if you are experiencing extreme pain in your jaw, it is recommended that you see your dentist as soon as possible. Though most cases of uneven jaw can be treated with dental appliances or exercises, surgery may be required.

 

 Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located at 15614 S Harlem Ave. in Orland Park, IL 60462. To schedule a checkup or for more information, please visit drcynthiawong.com or call 708-444-8341.

 

 

Bruxism and Night Guards

Night guards are placed in the mouth as a sort of “cushion” during sleep to prevent someone from grinding and gnashing their teeth together, though some patients do this consciously during the day. Also called bruxism, grinding your teeth damages enamel, wears down teeth, causes jaw pain and can irritate your gums. If you think you are grinding your teeth, contact Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics to see what you can do to stop it. 

Severe bruxism can lead to tension-type headaches and disorders in the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), where a clicking noise can be heard when you open and close your mouth. Bruxism has also been seen in quite a few children. According to WebMD, “approximately 15% to 33% of children grind their teeth.”

There are several factors that increase the chances of grinding your teeth:

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  Stress and anxiety

  
  


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  Age (though common in children, bruxism goes away by adulthood)

  
  


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  Aggressive or competitive personality type

  
  


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  Psychiatric medications

  
  


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  Smoking tobacco

  
  


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  Consuming caffeine and alcohol

  
  


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  Family history of bruxism

  
  


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  Other disorders such as Parkinson's, dementia, gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD), epilepsy, night terrors, sleep apnea and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)

  
  

Dr. Cynthia Wong Orthodontics is located at 15614 S Harlem Ave. in Orland Park, IL 60462. For more information on night guards or bruxism, or to make an appointment, please visit drcynthiawong.com or call 708-444-8341.