The Truth About TMJ and Your Treatment Options
A teeth grinding habit is often to blame for damage to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). If the teeth are worn down and the bite is misaligned, pressure around the jaw can cause pain, tenderness, and tightness around the jaw and neck. Living with a TMJ disorder can be painful and stressful. If you have excessive jaw pain and discomfort, you must come in and see Dr. Jennifer Smith Ellis for a consultation. We offer TMJ treatment at our practice and have helped many patients restore their jaw health — and their quality of life.
Symptoms
Some of the most common symptoms of a TMJ disorder include:
- Difficulty chewing food
- Throbbing jaw pain
- Clicking and locking of the jaw joint
- Frequent toothaches
- Pain the ear or around the mouth
- Crackling or tenderness of the jaw joint
- Muscle spasms
- Frequent headaches or migraines
What Causes TMJ Disorders?
Teeth grinding (bruxism) is one of the most common causes of TMJ pain. If you tend to grind your teeth when you are angry, stressed, or anxious, you may be at risk for damaging the teeth which in turn can cause bite problems. If the teeth are not restored or the bite is not fixed, you may experience problems with the jaw joint. People with arthritis or osteoporosis may also be at risk for TMJ issues. When the bone tissue starts deteriorating, the jaw joint can cause pain every time you move your mouth or jaw — and especially when you eat and speak.
Don't Live with the Stress and Pain Caused by TMJ
Fortunately, there are some effective treatment options available to restore your jaw health. Dr. Ellis uses Tekscan technology to perform a bite adjustment (occlusal adjustment) and may also recommend a night guard to help break a teeth grinding habit. If you are suffering from jaw pain, find out if you might have a TMJ disorder.
