You make facial gestures like smiling, laughing, chatting, and chewing every day without giving them much thought. However, if you have temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMJ), those straightforward movements could be extremely painful for you.
TMJ is the acronym for the temporomandibular joint, often known as the jaw joint, and is often used to refer to health issues that revolve around this part of the body, but doing so is incorrect.
Visit our dentist in Okotoks to learn more about TMJ and its related disorders.
What is TMJ?
TMD, also known as temporomandibular disorders, is characterized by persistent pain in the region around your ear, in your jaw, or in the muscles on the side of your face, possibly accompanied by a popping or clicking sound or limited jaw movement.
The lower jaw and the skull are joined by two joints called the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). The mandible, or lower jaw, and the temporomandibular bone, or base and side of the skull, make up these joints, which slide and rotate in front of each ear. The mandible may move up and down, forward and backward, and side to side, thanks to some of the body’s most intricate joints.
What is TMD?
Disorders of the jaw muscles, temporomandibular joints, and the nerves that control persistent facial pain are referred to as temporomandibular disorders (TMD). Temporomandibular disorder may be caused by any issue that hinders the intricate system of muscles, bones, and joints from cooperating in harmony.
What Causes Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?
The exact cause of this condition may not always be known. Too much stress on the jaw joints and the muscles that regulate eating, swallowing, and speaking might occasionally be the primary reason. Bruxism may be the cause of this strain. This is the uncontrollably repeated act of clenching or grinding the teeth. TMD may also result from injuries to the neck, head, or jaw. TMD pain can also be brought on by arthritis and disc displacement in the jaw joint. Other times, the pain from another unpleasant medical condition, such as fibromyalgia or irritable bowel
syndrome, may coexist with or exacerbate the discomfort from TMD. Clinical, psychosocial, sensory, genetic, and neurological system risk factors for TMD have been found in a recent NIDCR study.
You should further consult with your dentist near you.
What are Common TMJ Symptoms?
The most typical signs of TMJ are as follows:
- Jaw tightness or discomfort.
- Headaches.
- Spreading in the face, shoulder, neck, or back, or behind the eyes.
- An infection of the inner ear canal is not the cause of ear-aches or ringing in the ears.
- The jaw cracking or clicking.
- Clenching of the teeth.
- Minimal mouth movements.
- A clenching or teeth-grinding motion.
- Dizziness.
- Teeth sensitivity is not a condition of the mouth.
- Tingling or numbness in the fingertips.
- A modification to the fit of the upper and lower teeth together.
TMD symptoms can resemble those of other illnesses or disorders. For TMJ treatment in Okotoks, consult our dentist or your healthcare practitioner.
What Treatments are Available for TMJ Disorders?
Your age, general health, and symptoms will all affect how you are treated. Furthermore, it will depend on how serious the problem is.
Treatment options include:
- Medications or analgesics.
- Relaxation techniques and stress reduction.
- Changes in behaviour (to lessen or stop clenching your teeth).
- Physical exercise.
- a mouthguard or orthopedic device worn in the mouth (to lessen teeth grinding).
- posture instruction.
- altering one’s diet to include soft foods (so that the jaw muscles can rest).
- Heat packs and ice.
- Oral and maxillofacial surgery.
Stress might cause TMJ symptoms to reappear. Knowing what causes your symptoms can help you take action to prevent them from happening again. Visit your dentist for TMJ treatment near you so you can be examined.
Consult with Our Dental Team
Do you get a headache, feel lightheaded, or have jaw pain? To schedule a checkup and learn more about TMJ treatment options, contact our Cimarron Dental Wellness dentists today.