TMJ deals with your temporomandibular joint, which connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ causes pain in that joint as well as in the muscles that control your jaw movement. It can be a painful experience, but it is temporary and most often treated with non-surgical care.
Symptoms
Are you experiencing jaw pains but are unsure if it is TMJ or something else? Here are just a few of the symptoms caused by TMJ.
- Aching facial pain
- Clicking and locking of the jaw
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw
- Swelling on the side of your face
- Headaches
- Toothaches
There are other symptoms caused by TMJ, but if you are feeling any of the above, you should schedule an appointment to see us so that we can help you feel better.
How is it treated
To relieve some of the pain, you can take anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen Motrin, etc. Some common forms of treatment according to Mayo Clinic are:
• Oral splints or mouth guards.
These help you from clenching your jaw or grinding your teeth while you sleep, which can cause TMJ issues.
• Physical therapy
Treatments might include heat and ice or exercises to strengthen your jaw muscles
• Counseling
You might be wondering why counseling would affect your jaw, but you could be grinding or clenching your teeth out of stress or pain. Counseling can help you understand those factors and learn to deal with them more constructively.
TMJ can be painful and have a negative impact on your life. Sometimes you might not even notice that you are clenching or grinding your teeth, causing yourself more pain. We will perform an examination and suggest the best treatment for you. Don’t suffer any longer, call us today and let us help you feel better.
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