Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is a flexible joint on either side of your face. It may be small, but it is actually responsible for a great deal of the movement and activity of your jaw.
The TMJ moves forward and back, up and down, and side to side. It connects your jaw to your temple when you open it for speech and close it for eating. All in all, it is a vital joint.
Unfortunately, it is also susceptible to stress due to all this movement. On top of that, it is fairly exposed on the side of the face, leaving it open to injury. There are a number of things that can go wrong with the TMJ. These are known as temporomandibular disorders or TMDs.
TMDs
TMDs can come in a number of different forms. One of the most common causes is bruxism, which is grinding and clenching of the teeth. Bruxism is often done unconsciously and may even be happening during sleep.
Another cause of TMDs is physical damage sustained during an accident or a sporting event. Collisions and blunt force can easily strain the tendons attached to the joint or dislocate the jaw.
Misalignment is a major factor in TMJ stress. Whether caused by one of these accidents or by natural movements, a lot of stress is placed on the TMJ when the various components are not moving as they should.
While all of these causes are very different, TMDs are characterized by a common set of symptoms such as:
- Jaw popping.
- Pain in the ears, jaw, or mouth.
- Tension headaches.
- Tenderness.
- Difficulty chewing.
- Joint locking.
- Muscle spasms.
If you are experiencing any of these—especially joint locking, popping, or spasms—it’s very possible that you are experiencing a temporomandibular disorder.
Treatment for TMDs
TMJs experience constant use, but in order to heal properly, they have to have some time to rest. One excellent treatment available for TMDs is an oral appliance, which gives your jaw the rest it needs.
This appliance works essentially like a mouthguard. It is custom-crafted to your exact specifications in order to hold the jaw in proper alignment and allow the muscles to relax. Using these precise measurements makes each mouthguard both effective and comfortable.
Combined with injections or muscle therapy, oral appliances can do a great deal of good for a damaged or stressed TMJ.
Call Us Today
Here in our office, we are concerned with more than just your teeth. Healthy smiles require healthy muscles, tendons, gums, and bone as well. If you are experiencing any of the listed symptoms, don’t hesitate to get in contact with us. Let us provide you the pain relief you deserve!
