TMJ Disorders: What You Need to Know

Have you ever heard some say they have TMJ, and wonder what it is? The term TMJ refers to the temporomandibular joints on both sides of your jaw. However, when someone says they have TMJ, what they are really referring to is a TMJ disorder. This common dental problem causes headaches and pain in the neck, ears, jaw and face. As with any dental problem, TMJ disorder has its own unique set of signs and symptoms. Naturally, these symptoms vary from person to person depending on what is causing the problem. The symptoms to watch for would include jaw pain, ear pain, neck pain, headaches, and tooth pain. You may also experience a popping, clicking, or grinding sound when you yawn, chew, or extend your jaw. A dental problem like TMJ disorder can have many different causes. Some of the common causes of this disorder would include clenching and grinding of the teeth, cartilage wear and tear, dislocated TMJ, misalignment of the bite, and arthritis. If you have TMJ disorder your dentist will identify the underlying cause of your dental problem so they can treat it more effectively. There are a number of different methods used to treat TMJ disorder. The treatment is often done in steps. Typically, your dentist will give you a fitted mouth guard or dental splint to help reduce the pain associated with this dental problem. Next, They work to identify the problem through bite analysis. This enables them to determine the root cause of the problem so it can be addressed. Your dentist may also prescribe jaw exercises to help treat your TMJ disorder. These exercises are designed to reduce clinching and relax the jaw. Your dentist may recommend that you do these exercises in front of a mirror to improve their effectiveness. Over time the exercises will give you more jaw control. If you are experiencing headaches or jaw pain, contact your dentist for a consultation today.