Temporomandibular joint dysfunction is one of the causes of facial and jaw pain. This pain can prevent you from eating or speaking comfortably due to the pain you experience when opening and closing your mouth. If you are struggling with jaw pain and need long-term relief, the Springfield TMJ experts at Advantage Dental Care should be your ultimate choice.
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What is TMJ?
The temporomandibular joint connects your jawbone to your skull on either side of your head. They work in conjunction with your ligaments and jaw muscles to facilitate the opening and closing of your mouth, enabling you to chew, swallow and speak. If the temporomandibular joints, ligaments, or muscles are inflamed or damaged, you may have difficulty opening your mouth and closing it without some discomfort. If TMJ disorders are left untreated, their symptoms may worsen over time, leading to more pain and discomfort. So it is paramount that you inform your doctor if you have difficulty opening your mouth with experiencing joint pain. Sometimes, doctors suggest night guard for your teeth as well.
What leads to the development of TMJ disorder?
Determining the exact cause of your TMJ disorder may be difficult, but your pain may be due to several factors, such as jaw injury or arthritis. You may also develop TMJ if you have the habit of grinding or clenching your teeth. Your TMJ may also be due to:
- Jaw misalignment (Poor bite)
- Specific connective tissue disorders
- Jaw dislocation
- Stress
- Jaw injury
Extreme stress can cause overwork of your jaws, leading to further inflammation and other painful symptoms.
How can you know that you have TMJ?
The signature symptom of TMJ is localized pain in the jaw that worsens over time. You may also experience additional symptoms such as:
- Facial pain
- Jaw pain
- Chronic headaches
- Tenderness in the affected jaw
- Neck pain
- Pain when opening and closing your mouth
- Jaw tightness
- Popping or clicking sound when opening your mouth to speak
- Earaches
Gum and foods that require intense chewing may exacerbate your symptoms. Avoid chewy foods until your jaw heals if you experience excruciating pain doing so. TMJ pain improves with simple home care techniques in most cases, but if the pain persists, you may need medical intervention.
What are the treatment options for TMJ?
Employing relaxation techniques like relaxing your jaw alleviates jaw pain and discomfort. Your doctor may also recommend the following non-invasive treatments to relieve muscle and joint pain:
- Nightguard
A nightguard is more beneficial for people who grind their teeth while sleeping. A custom-fit night guard not only prevents the grinding of teeth but also alleviates your jaw pain by relaxing your jaw. The team at Advantage Dental Care collects impressions of your mouth and uses them to create personalized night guards.
- Oral splint
An oral splint, also known as a TMJ splint, protects your teeth from unrelenting grinding and restores proper jaw alignment. You can wear your jaw splint whenever you experience some discomfort, unlike a nightguard which you can only wear at night.
TMJ rarely improves with time if it is associated with a jaw injury. For diagnosis and treatment of TMJ, call the Advantage Dental Care office or book a visit online.
