Do you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines? Do you frequently experience pain in your jaw, face, or neck? Do you clench or grind your teeth? Do you have jaw problems including trouble opening or closing, popping, or clicking? You may be one of millions of Americans suffering from TMJ, and we want you to know there is a solution for not just treating your pain, but preventing it.
TMJ explained
We all carry our stress in different parts of our body, but some of the most common are the back, neck, and shoulders, and in the jaw or the mouth. Stress, along with other biological factors can lead to teeth grinding and the dysfunction of the jaw joint, known as TMJ, TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. TMJ can cause a host of oral health problems, and a lot of pain in the head, neck, face, and jaw. 85-90% of the population grinds their teeth, and there are over three million cases of TMJ diagnosed every year in the U.S.
Causes
What causes TMJ is complex, but there are a number of factors that may play a part, including:
- Stress
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Irregular or excessive bite force
- Bite misalignment
- Arthritis
- Irregular joint movement
- Traumatic injury or whiplash
- Poor posture
Studies have also found that the majority of TMJ cases are found in women ages 18-44.
Symptoms
There are a number of varying symptoms that could be present if you are experiencing TMJ, including:
- Teeth grinding or clenching
- Jaw popping or clicking
- Jaw stiffness or locking
- Jaw, face, neck pain
- Headache or migraine
- Dizziness
- Bite misalignment
- Tooth wear
Treatment
Treatment of your TMJ depends on the severity of your case. Home remedies are proven to be highly effective in TMJ treatment, including:
- Cold compress (ice pack)
- Massage
- Gentle stretching of the jaw/neck
- Over-the-counter anti-inflammatories
- Avoiding chewing gum
- Stress reduction techniques
If home remedies are ineffective, your Denver dentist at Advanced Aesthetic Dentistry may have a solution for you. A dental splint or custom mouthguard designed just for you can help prevent teeth grinding and clenching throughout the night, and drastically minimize the bite forces that are causing your pain. This is a minimally invasive, yet highly effective treatment for TMJ, in most cases eliminating the need for prescription medication or surgery.
If you think you might be suffering from TMJ, and would like to get back to living your life without chronic pain of the face, head, and neck, Dr. Paini would love to speak with you about treating your TMJ.
