TMJ FAQs

How do I know if I have Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMD)?

The symptoms of TMD (often referred to as TMJ, which actually stands for temporomandibular joint) can vary significantly from one person to the next. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Pain and soreness in the jaw and facial muscles
• Tooth grinding
• Clicking/popping noise in the jaw
• Ringing in the ears
• Headaches
• Neck and shoulder pain
• Tightness and loss of range of motion in the jaw

A jaw joint can actually affect the ears and neck/shoulder area?

Yes, the jaw joint can affect much more than the jaw area if there is a problem with the alignment of the jaw. The jaw joint (temporomandibular joint or TMJ) is a delicately balanced mechanism. Although the joint itself is small, it is essential to many interrelated functions such as speaking, eating, and facial expressions. It is also interconnected with the musculoskeletel function as a whole. Because of this, a malfunction of your jaw joint can cause problems such as aches and pains in other areas of your body as well including all of the areas mentioned above and even your hands and fingers!

How did I get this painful condition?

Research has not yet determined all the possible causes of TMD. We do know that TMD can be aggravated by trauma, certain health care procedures, oral habits, and diseases such as osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. However, TMD symptoms are known to occur without an identifiable cause. Grinding one’s teeth (bruxism) and stress can also cause or exacerbate the symptoms of TMD.

Are there treatments available for TMD?

TMD is treatable by a highly trained neuromuscular dentist such the ones at Healthy Dental Solutions in Michigan. After a thorough evaluation and assessment of your case, something as simple as lifestyle changes may be suggested such as change of diet, avoidance of caffeine, or smoking cessation. Oral appliances and C-Pap may also be recommended, and in severe cases, surgery may be indicated.

If I don’t get treatment now, will it eventually just go away?

TMD never goes away on its own. As your body tries to accommodate to the problems associated with it, it can actually become worse. In the vast majority of cases, TMD, if left untreated will continue to progress, causing pain, tooth damage, and loss of bone and teeth.

How common is this condition?

Approximately ten million people in the United States have TMD at any given time, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, with most of the sufferers being young females. Many people go undiagnosed or are misdiagnosed with migraine headaches.

If you would like to learn more about this very painful condition of the jaw, please contact the highly trained neuromuscular dentists at Healthy Dental Solutions today to schedule your initial appointment.

 

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