TMJ disorder can be a serious condition and is not something you should ignore. This disorder can affect people of all ages, even those who have good oral health. The effects of TMJ include pain in the jaw that can radiate to other parts of the face. If you do not address these symptoms, you could start having headaches. Eventually, this condition can affect your daily routine and quality of life. It is important to understand more about TMJ.
From the jaw to the skull is a crucial joint called the temporomandibular joint. It is like a sliding hinge that plays a key role in the movement of the mouth. When a person speaks, eats, laughs, or yawns, this joint is in action. Under normal conditions, the joint does its job well, and the person should feel no discomfort in the area.
However, various factors can make these actions painful. When there is pain in this joint, TMJ disorder is the likely condition. Sometimes, this pain may be fleeting and go away with minor treatment. But some people experience debilitating pain that affects even routine tasks. In these cases, the dentist can help to relieve the symptoms and correct the issues.
One of the challenges of treating and preventing TMJ disorder is that it can be difficult to identify what leads to it. The bones that work with the joints are covered in cartilage and have disks in between them. These aid in the movement of the joint. Sometimes, the disks can slip out of place or deteriorate, which causes extreme pain. Arthritis can contribute to the eroding of the disk and cartilage. Also, an injury to the joint from a hard blow can cause the disorder.
Having TMJ disorder can affect a person’s oral health and overall wellness. The most common symptom is pain in the jaw. This pain is most evident when the mouth is in use, but it can be persistent at all times. The jaw can be tender to the touch as well. Some people feel an aching pain in and around the ear. The join may even lock, making it hard to open and close the mouth.
Another issue that TMJ disorder can cause is a headache. The muscles surrounding the joint run along the jaw and up to the cheeks. When there is pain, it can radiate to the top and sides of the head. The jaw muscles may feel tight, and the person may even hear a clicking noise in the jaw. The headaches may not go away without treatment.
Taking over-the-counter pain medication can relieve these headaches. If this does not help, the dentist can prescribe something stronger. Putting an ice pack on the jaw or area of the head that hurts can also provide comfort. The dentist can also walk the patient through stretching exercises of the jaw to improve the range of motion.
Taut bands develop when they are overused or injured and can cause pain to other parts of the body. Jaw muscle trigger points can cause pain in the back teeth, and muscles in the temple can cause pain in the upper teeth. Chewing, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, and talking activate these muscles. The presence of trigger points is a sign of temporomandibular joint problems. Symptoms of this disorder are facial pain, ringing in the ears, and popping in the TMJ. Earache, locking in the jaw, and grating noises in the TMJ are also signs to watch out for.
A person’s bite may change a little when there is a new filling or crown. This can affect the patient’s jaw functions. The new restorations can change the way the upper and lower teeth interact. Over time, the person regains normal bite after days or weeks. The patient must see the dentist if there is pain when chewing or biting.
The dentist can suggest relaxation techniques. Counseling can also help the patient deal with stress, which is a common trigger to teeth grinding and tooth pain. Wearing a nightguard or mouthguard can protect the teeth from wear due to jaw clenching and teeth grinding. A soft diet can lower the stress in the jaw and teeth. The dentist can also correct the person’s bite by providing orthodontic treatment.
Tooth loss can prompt the shifting or loosening of adjacent teeth. It can cause pain and increases the possibility of decay or infection. Replacing teeth can correct the bite and relieve pain. It can prevent neighboring teeth from shifting and loosening. The dentist can replace the missing teeth with bridges or dental implants.
TMJ disorder is nothing to dismiss. Be aware of the signs that you have this condition. If you have unexplained headaches, TMJ could be the culprit. The good news is that treatment is available.
Request an appointment here: https://www.encinodentalassociates.com or call Encino Cosmetic & Dental Implants at (818) 578-2333 for an appointment in our Encino office.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: TMJ Dentist in Encino, CA.
A TMJ dentist is a dental professional who focuses on managing and treating the temporomandibular joint disorder. Typically, this type of dentist is one who undergoes general dentistry education and training, but they continue their studies about the temporomandibular joint and how it can negatively impact one's oral health.TMJ disorder refers to the dysfunction that…
A TMJ dentist is a dentist who is trained in general dentistry but continues their education with a focus on the temporomandibular joint and its disorders. They spend their days treating general dental conditions, however, much of their efforts are spent diagnosing, managing, and treating TMJ disorders.TMJ dentists are great resources to utilize when suffering…
Temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ disorder refers to a condition that affects the muscles, ligaments, and joints surrounding the jaw. The TMJ is a ball and socket hinge that uses sliding and hinging motions to function. The joint is at the back of the jaw and includes a bony bump called the articular eminence. The…
TMJ disorder is an issue that affects many Americans each year. It leads to jaw pain, limited jaw movement and other symptoms. Dentists can diagnose, treat and prevent TMJ disorder through a variety of methods. It is helpful to understand how the diagnostic and treatment process works for TMJ to determine if you should visit…
Occasionally, dentures need adjustments or repairs to ensure optimal comfort and effectiveness. Your mouth changes…
The need for relining your dentures may not occur to you because of your busy…
If you have lost a significant number of teeth or if they are severely damaged,…
An emergency dentist provides prompt care to restore oral health, prevent further complications, and alleviate…
Probablemente haya visto los comerciales y videos en redes sociales donde los pacientes lloran de…
您可能在广告或社交媒体上看到过患者在安装好新牙时激动落泪的视频。但广告并没有展示这些患者在他们的 All-on-4 义齿出现问题或失败时因沮丧而再次流泪的情景。 虽然 All-on-4 对某些患者来说确实是很好的选择，但我认为非常重要的一点是，不要仅仅被宣传打动，而要深入了解这种方案是否真正适合您的具体情况。作为一名在加州恩西诺（Encino, CA）执业的美容及种植牙医，我曾帮助许多患者重建他们的笑容，我希望与您分享我的看法，帮助您做出一个明智的决定，让您多年后依然感到满意。 ⭐ 什么是 All-on-4 种植牙治疗？ All-on-4 是一种治疗理念，通过在颌骨中战略性地植入四颗种植体，支撑整排修复牙齿。该方法最初是为那些在后牙区域缺失大量骨量的患者设计的，目的是尽量避免骨移植。 与植入六颗或更多种植体相比，All-on-4 通常速度更快，价格也可能更为实惠。对于一些诊所而言，这种方法也常被推荐，因为操作流程快，批量实施更加盈利。…
