SHOULD I BE WORRIED ABOUT TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER?
During the time you talk, eat, and stretch your mouth, you are using your temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These joints are where your lower jaw is joined to your skull and the hinge movement allows your jaw to open and close. In a perfect world, your TMJs are aligned and working perfectly all the time; nonetheless, some people have serious trouble with their jaw. Also referred to as TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder), TMJ disorder can occur as constant pain in your jaw to complications when opening and closing your mouth.
HOW DO I IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER?
Temporomandibular joint disorder is identified when a significant amount of physical stress is placed on and around the jaw joints. This may be a side effect of arthritis an uneven bite (dental malocclusion), bruxism (grinding your teeth and clenching your jaw), along with a bone disease or a tumor within your jaw. There are currently many clinical studies to determine the exact cause of TMJ disorder. Research has identified that TMJ disorder is more present in women, most often between the ages of 20 – 40 years old.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS TEMPOROMANDIBULAR JOINT DISORDER?
Part of the most typical symptoms of TMJ disorder are jaw pain, headaches, and abnormal noises when opening or closing your mouth. In the event that you notice one or a number of the symptoms of TMJ disorder identified below, make an appointment with a dentist in Niles, OH whenever possible for diagnosis and treatment.
- SWELLING ALONG YOUR LOWER FACE
One of the most visible signs of TMJ disorder is swelling along your jaw and throughout your lower face. The inflammation associated with TMJ disorder could make the lower portion of your face puffy and swollen, especially across your jaw area.
- CHRONIC HEADACHES
If you have constant headaches or migraines and a doctor is unable to identify a cause, you might ask your dentist to assess your jaw. Migraines are common with TMJ disorder, which may be caused by teeth grinding and jaw clenching.
- PAIN IN YOUR EAR OR JAW
Almost all patients with TMJ disorder will complain about some level of pain in the jaw. This could be mild or severe relying on your condition, but it will be chronic. Many patients also identify pain in their ears. The TMJ is in close proximity to the ears, so the swelling is likely to spread and feel much like an earache. If your primary physician has ruled out an ear infection, ask your Niles, OH dentist to assess for TMJ disorder.
- YOUR JAW IS TEMPORARILY STUCK
When you feel like the Tin Man fighting to open his mouth to ask for his oil can, you could have TMJ disorder. Your jaw might be difficult to open and/or close, which makes eating and speaking very tough. In some people, the jaw may get locked for a short amount of time.
- CLICKING OR POPPING WHEN YOU OPEN YOUR JAW
At the times when you open or close your jaw, can you observe a popping or clicking noise? This may be the end result of a displaced disc in your jaw. The dislocated disc restricts jaw movement and can cause your jaw getting stuck.
- TENDER JAW MUSCLES
Clenching your jaw, either at night or in the day, could cause sore jaw muscles. When your jaw muscles feel tender or sore even though you haven’t been smiling or speaking a great deal, it could be a side effect of TMJ disorder.
HOME TMD THERAPIES
- RELAXATION THERAPIES
If your jaw muscles feel sore, you may try relaxation techniques, including meditation or mindfulness. Talk to your Niles, OH dentist about relaxation methods that can help soften your jaw muscles and eliminate some symptoms of your TMJ disorder.
- METHODS TO STRENGTHEN YOUR JAW
As well as relaxation therapies, your dentist may give you exercises to do at home that will help strengthen your jaw muscles. Jaw strengthening exercises may help stretch your muscles to decrease the stiffness connected to TMJ disorder.
- OVER-THE-COUNTER PAIN MEDICATIONS
For limited relief of jaw pain associated with TMJ disorder, you may decide to take non-prescription pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers may help if your jaw is swollen, sore, or tender; nevertheless, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist in Niles, OH to talk about long-term therapies.
- FOLLOWING A LIQUID AND SOFT FOOD DIET
TMJ could make it hard to eat solid foods, so a majority of people with TMJ disorder find some alleviation by obeying a liquid or soft foods diet. This treatment is usually better for short-term use when you are waiting to receive a diagnosis from your dentist as it can be complicated to consume satisfactory nourishment from only a soft food and liquid diet.
PROFESSIONAL TMD THERAPIES
- NIGHT MOUTH GUARD
For individuals who grind their teeth and clench their jaw throughout the night, a night guard may help treat TMJ disorder. Night guards can be purchased online and in stores, but for ultimate relief and comfort, it is better to obtain a custom-made night guard produced by a dentist in Niles, OH. Produced from digital or physical dental impressions, a custom-made night guard protects your teeth from grinding and keeps your jaw relaxed while you sleep.
- PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION
Depending on the cause of your TMJ disorder, a dentist in Niles, OH might prescribe a prescription medication for pain, anxiety, or inflammation. When your dentist diagnoses the cause of your TMJ disorder, they can write a prescription for a medication to help minimize swelling and relax your jaw muscles or diminish your pain.
- BOTOX INJECTIONS
Even though most individuals identify BOTOX injections as a way to diminish wrinkles, it has a variety of medical uses. Utilizing a purified form of botulism, BOTOX injections can be set in the jaw to temporarily relax the muscles. BOTOX injections should be administered by a skilled dentist in Niles, OH and you will need to have them every few months to maintain benefits.
ERADICATE JAW PAIN WITH TMJ REMEDIES
When you have pain in your jaw as well as other side effects of TMJ disorder, set up an appointment with your dentist in Niles, OH to find a diagnosis and treatment. At DentalWorks – Eastwood Niles, we offer night guards and other TMJ treatments to adhere to the needs of our patients in Niles, OH. Get in touch with our office in Niles, OH to set up an examination and consultation so we can begin your custom TMJ disorder treatment plan.
