Determining If You Have TMJ and When You Need TMJ Treatment in Brandon

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder (TMJ/ TMD) is a condition that affects many people, but is not necessarily a familiar one. In fact, most TMJ sufferers go about their daily lives completely unaware that they have the condition.

Basically, TMJ is the joint connecting your jaw to your skull’s temporal bones. This joint is what enables you to open and shut your mouth, which are necessary movements for talking and eating, among other things. If this joint is not properly aligned with your temporal bones, it could end up pinching the surrounding nerves, which could then result to a host of other pains and maladies.

TMJ Symptoms

Because there are many possible pains that could arise from having pinched facial nerves resulting from a TMJ disorder, it’s almost impossible to immediately get a diagnosis. It could be tension headache—which could also result from other medical issues—or it could be stiffness in the neck. It could also manifest in tired facial muscles, which can occur while you’re chewing food.

In some cases, it has even been said to spread the pain all the way to the chest and down to the shoulders. If the TMJ disorder has gotten severe, these manifestations can occur all at the same time, making for a very anxious episode on the part of the sufferer.

Among the symptoms that you could look out for include facial pain, tinnitus or ringing in the ears, clicking or popping sound when you open your mouth, locked jaw, or swelling of the face.

TMJ Treatment

If you notice or experience any of these symptoms, you can consult with your dentist to determine if you would need TMJ treatment in Brandon or elsewhere. The most efficient way is to confirm diagnosis is to get a 360-degree X-ray of your jaws to clearly see its alignment to your temporal bones in your skull.

It’s possible that only one side suffers from the disorder, while the other will be aligned perfectly fine. In either case, however, your dentist should have the proper know-how and technology to offer you relief from the pain.

For the physical pain and swelling, your dentist could prescribe you pain relievers and muscle relaxants. Your jaws should be as relaxed as possible to avoid even more unnecessary pressure on it. In some cases, therapy may be required, which could make use of oral splints or mouth guards. Physical therapy and counseling to avoid or lessen anxiety could also be recommended.

Source:

TMJ disorders, mayoclinic.org

Treatment Of Temporomandibular Disorders, colgate.com

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