TMJ Can Be A Real Pain In The Jaw
Have you ever heard of TMJ? TMJ is the standard abbreviation of a condition called Temporomandibular Joint disorder. This joint is what connects your lower jaw to your skull and when you open your mouth to talk, eat, or looked shocked, you can thank your temporomandibular joint.
Having Pain In The Jaw?
Sometimes, you can find yourself with pain in this area and if you see your dentist, you might be diagnosed with TMJ. There are many causes for the disorder, such as arthritis, a blow to the jaw, or an eroded disk. The symptoms you might feel include headaches, earaches, pain in the jaw, trouble or pain when chewing, clicking or popping of the jaw joint, or locking of the joint. If you experience any of these symptoms, you should see a doctor or a dentist as soon as you can.
Grinding Is not Good
If you have a tendency to grind your teeth at night, it can cause trouble with your teeth as well as your jaw. A person who has an improper bite that has never been corrected can also suffer from TMJ. And stress can also be a factor that can aggravate disorders of the jaw as you tend to clench and grind under pressure. The sooner you start managing these issues, the sooner you can start working toward healing and feeling better.
Home Remedies
Many times, TMJ is a temporary disorder than will respond well to home remedies such as taking over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), ice packs on the joint area, gentle stretching, light massage, stress reduction, and avoidance of chewy food or gum. If these don’t provide relief or start you toward healing, you may need to seek out professional assistance.
Dental Options
Your dentist can give you other options to help with TMJ, such as physical therapy, dental splints, or prescription medication. As a last resort for severe cases, surgery might be an option. If you think that you could have TMJ, come in and let one of the professionals at Community Dental Group take a look. We’ll not only diagnose your troubles, we’ll get on a path toward healing that will get you back to a pain-free life in no time.