Do you often wake up with a headache or pain in your jaw? It’s possible that you’re experiencing a temporomandibular disorder, or TMD.
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is the hinge that connects your jaw to your skull. Difficulties with your TMJ can make even everyday activities difficult. Fortunately, TMJ problems are treatable, and we are here to help!
What Causes TMD?
The definition of TMD covers a wide range of difficulties or pain felt in the jaw, especially at the joint itself. As a result, TMD can have multiple different causes.
Injuries to the head or jaw or even too much mental stress can cause TMD. However, one of the most common causes of TMD is excessive jaw clenching or grinding—also known as bruxism. This puts extra stress on the TMJ, which leads to pain and other jaw difficulties.
Most of the time, this clenching and grinding happens while you’re asleep, which makes it very difficult to stop the behavior on your own. Our TMD treatment methods can help you take control of any grinding or clenching that’s been setting you back.
What Are the Symptoms of TMD?
Are you suffering from TMD? If you’re not sure whether what you’re feeling is TMD, ask whether you’ve felt any of the following common TMD symptoms:
- Jaw pain or tenderness with no obvious cause.
- Facial pain with no obvious cause.
- Pain directly at the joint of your jaw, or around the ears.
- Clicking or popping while moving your jaw.
- Difficulty or pain while chewing.
- Difficulty closing or opening your jaw; ‘locking’ jaws.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, come talk to us! Whether your problem is a TMD or something else entirely, we can get to the bottom of the situation and help you eliminate pain and get back to your life.
How Is TMJ Pain Treated?
There is a wide range of different TMD treatments, depending on the severity of the condition. Much TMJ/TMD pain can be treated with mouthguards designed to prevent nighttime grinding and reduce tension in the TMJ itself. This is why our office provides both night guards and athletic guards for those struggling with TMD.
If your TMD is severe enough that you need a different solution, we’re happy to put you on the right track. We can make TMD treatment a reality for you no matter what your specific needs are!
We Can Help Treat Your TMJ Pain and Get You Feeling Better!
Contact us today to learn more about what TMD treatments we offer and what they can do for you!