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TMJ The temporomandibular joints of your head, also called TMJ, are the joints that connect your jawbone to your skull. This term also includes the muscles that help your jaw move when doing anything with your mouth, including chewing, speaking, and swallowing. Temporomandibular disorders, also called TMD, are any disorders that result from issues with these muscles and joints. If you are having symptoms that you believe may be associated with TMD, then we here at Bravo Smile can help determine if your issues are due to TMD and address them before they progress any farther.What are the Symptoms of TMD?The symptoms of temporomandibular disorders can be painful, but they are also very telling. One of the most recognizable symptoms is a pain in your jaws, face, neck, shoulders. You may also notice this discomfort around your ears when you are speaking, chewing, or opening and closing your mouth wide. This pain will most often be persistent when you are doing any of these activities and will not recede and then come back. You may also not be able to open your mouth very wide at all without discomfort. You may also experience clicking, popping, or grating sounds in your mouth or jaw. Your jaws may get stuck or “locked” in an open or closed position. You may have limited mouth movement and a change in how your upper and lower teeth fit together. There are other symptoms that are more common with other illnesses or issues but that may also be related to the temporomandibular disorder. This may include numbness in your fingers and dizziness. You may also have swelling in your face and sensitivity of your teeth that is not related to other oral health issues. You may have an earache and headaches. If you are experiencing any of the above and believe it may be a problem with the joints of your jaw, get in touch with our offices to schedule an appointment today. Can TMD be treated?Fortunately, there are quite a few treatments for the temporomandibular disorder and many of them are treatments you can do at home. The first thing you can do to help ease the pain is to eat softer foods, use over-the-counter medications recommended by a professional, and use hot or cold packs on your jaws. All of these things may help reduce the swelling from temporomandibular disorder and make it more comfortable for you. You can also lookup relaxation techniques to keep your jaw less rigid. Our dentists may prescribe medication, a nightguard for preventing clenching and grinding, or even dental work to help correct the issues that could be causing a temporomandibular disorder. There are a number of treatments that our dentists will likely suggest before surgery becomes a possibility. Surgery may be an answer to fix temporomandibular disorder, but all available options should be explored before surgery becomes a reality. If you are having issues with your jaws or feel as if you may be experiencing any of the above symptoms and are having concerns, then please call us today at Bravo Smile at (971) 441-5987. Let us give you peace of mind and help you find lasting relief from your TMD-associated discomfort. |
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