The temporomandibular joint (known as the TMJ) is the joint right below your ears that anchors your lower jaw to your skull. When this joint becomes weak or damaged, it can cause a chronic condition that requires medical intervention. This disorder is classified as temporomandibular dysfunction (TMD).
ALEXANDER DENTISTRY offers TMJ therapy treatment to ease the pain that comes from TMJ strain. With us, dentistry care extends beyond just your teeth and gums. TMD treatment can benefit you and your family in surprising ways.
The Symptoms of TMD
Jaw pain can be more debilitating than people might think. Our office highly recommends treating recurring jaw pain as quickly as possible to help control your symptoms. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, call us for a consultation:
- Pain and Tenderness
- Headaches and Migraines
- Dental Dysfunction
- Facial Swelling
- Clicking and Popping
We can help minimize these conditions. Live a new life free from TMJ pain with therapy treatments today!
Pain and Tenderness
Your temporomandibular joint can affect more than just your jaw. Sufferers of TMD often also experience pain or tenderness in the face, neck, shoulders, and ears. This constant feeling of discomfort can make it hard to concentrate on daily tasks and responsibilities. It can also take you away from social events and drain your energy.
The pain may affect your eating and chewing habits, too. TMD symptoms can lead to teeth sensitivity, which makes it hard to eat and drink hot or cold foods. Individuals with TMD often try to avoid discomfort while eating, so they may change their chewing patterns or even give up foods they love.
Headaches and Migraines
TMD is one of the culprits of frequent headaches and migraines. These ailments can be frustrating, distracting, and even nauseating. Headaches and migraines often make it impossible to go about your daily responsibilities and can greatly decrease your quality of life.
Dental Dysfunction
You may also find that jaw pain or overuse can increase your odds of dental infection and even dental damage. When one area of your smile tends to deteriorate, many areas of your jawline tend to go along with it. Dr. Alexander and our team have a wide variety of different methods to ease your jaw pain and minimize discomfort in the future.
Facial Swelling
Those who suffer from TMD may notice that their faces, especially the sides, swell up or look puffy. As the disorder progresses, jaw pain can cause irreversible and painful damage to the rest of your teeth.
Bite Disorder
TMD may also affect your bite. It is uncomfortable to bite down and find that your upper and lower teeth no longer fit together in the same way. This bite can cause further pain in the temporomandibular joint, which could make you more nervous about chewing or opening and closing your mouth.
Though your look may seem inconsequential at first, TMJ dysfunction becomes harder to ignore the more it is left unchecked. You deserve to easily manage jaw pain and discomfort.
Clicking and Popping
You may notice that TMD can cause bothersome side effects, such as jaw clicking.
Clicking of the jaw while chewing, yawning, or opening and closing the mouth may only be a minor annoyance at first, but it can escalate to your jaw locking at any time. It can be frightening when the jaw becomes stuck in one position. In some cases, you may need to seek immediate medical attention.
Don’t Let Jaw Pain Ruin Your Life
Dr. Alexander knows that TMD symptoms can be frustrating, painful, and distracting, so he provides a way to alleviate and escape them. With TMJ therapy, Dr. Alexander can treat your symptoms to help you return to your normal life and productivity levels.
Our office has a variety of tools to help you overcome your jaw pain. Through analyzing your teeth and your health history, we will pinpoint which method will work best for your needs.
TMJ therapy can include:
- Education
- Lifestyle Adjustments
- Medication
- Massages and Stretches
- Dental Appliances
Our goal is to improve the state of your temporomandibular joint. We will work with you to find a unique solution that will fit the cause of your TMD as well as manage your symptoms.
Personalized Dental Devices
One of the most common and effective treatments for TMJ is an oral appliance or night guard. These can be worn throughout the day or just at night, depending on the severity of your pain. We make your mouthguard custom to you.
Preventing TMJ Disorder
TMJ disorder, or TMD, affects somewhere around 10 million Americans. TMD is caused by a wide variety of conditions that cause pain in the temporomandibular joint and prevent it from functioning properly. Though TMJ disorder can happen at any moment, it’s best to do your part to help minimize the risk of the condition.
Some of the causes of TMD include:
- Stress
- Arthritis
- Inflammation
- Teeth grinding
- Misalignment of the jaw
- Physical trauma to the teeth or jaw
Managing or reducing the risk of these problems through regular orthodontic, restorative, and general dental care can help your jaw withstand the demands of your day.
FIND RELIEF FOR YOUR TMJ SYMPTOMS
If you’re ready to find relief from TMD, contact us at ALEXANDER DENTISTRY today. After a consultation visit, Dr. Alexander can determine what you need to get back to your normal, comfortable life. Our team is ready to help!