Here in Austria snow heralds the onset of winter. Sub zero temperatures, icy roads and foggy conditions lead to minor and major road traffic accidents. Apart from the obvious results of the accidents which of course can be life threatening, there are also long term chronic effects. One problem that is well known is whiplash. People are seen leaving hospital with cervical collars and may suffer head and neck pain for weeks if not months.

Physiotherapy is instigated and many make a full recovery. Unfortunately research suggests that well over 60% of all whiplashes never fully recover.

One of the reasons for this may be that no one is looking at the jaw. According to research, with every cervical whiplash there is also a mandibular (jaw) whiplash. The process of the head being whipped in one direction causes the lower jaw to whip in the other and then snap together often traumatising the teeth. The jaw joints become inflamed and the muscles that work the jaw spasm to guard the joints. According to Guzay there is a relationship between the jaw joints and the upper cervical spine. Now we are in the loop, neck jaw, jaw neck, headaches, neck pain and often dental pain. All of this can go unnoticed especially if there are more substantial injuries that need hospitalisation.

The whiplash goes from acute to chronic and a whole pain cycle develops. Recurrent headaches, neck and back pain, ringing in the ears, sore stiff jaw joints and jaw locking are but some of the symptoms that can be seen long after the accident. Teeth that have fractured may die causing abscess formation, and the need for root fillings. These teeth may go on to be crowned or extracted. All from a minor knock on the motorway or fighting for a parking place to go Christmas shopping. Early dental intervention may reduce the possibility of long term pain. Balancing the bite by the use of a dental splint helps to protect the jaw joints and stabilise the neck. Then working with a physiotherapist, chiropractor or osteopath helps to achieve the best result.

Depression may also accompany this trauma. It has been suggested that whiplash is the closest thing to being decapitated without it actually happening! Whiplash can therefore be an amazingly emotional experience and coupled with long term pain can lead to a depressive state.

A word about insurance. Often the claim has come and gone before the long term effects of the accident kick in. Many people spend a great deal of money that should have been covered in the original claim simply because they have been signed off by the hospital as being fit. I believe that it is imperative that the teeth, jaws and neck are assessed prior to any claim being settled. This helps to ensure long term cover for the chronic condition that may arise!

Hopefully none of this will happen to you this Christmas and you and your family will enjoy a happy, trauma free time.

Here at FBHC we would like to wish you a happy Christmas and a prosperous, pain free New Year.

Newsflash!!!

Dr Bill will be touring again in 2006 and would love to hear from any of our readers who would be interested in attending. He plans to speak in Europe, UK, Ireland, Australia and USA.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

FBHC

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