Tmj Disorder - Is Your Jaw Causing You Pain?
Waking up to a pounding headache isn't the best way to start your day
. Morning headaches are a common symptom associated with Temporomandibular Joint Disorders-any disorder associated with the Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ). This important joint connects your lower jaw to your skull, allowing your upper and lower jaw to open and close, which facilitates chewing and speaking. When the TMJ is not aligned properly, it can place stress on other joints and muscles, and this causes pain.
Individuals suffering from TMJ disorders often experience jaw and facial pain, a misaligned bite and a jaw that locks upon opening it. Severe head and neck pain are also some of the most common and debilitating symptoms. A visit to your medical doctor may bring you temporary relief, but your problem may actually be something that a dentist can diagnose and heal completely.
Temporomandibular disorders come in varying degrees of severity. In many cases, people suffering from TMJ disorders report chronic pain in the jaw, face, head, ears, neck, or shoulders, or any combination of these areas. Other common symptoms include:
*Limited ability to open the mouth very wide
*Clicking or popping sounds in the jaw joint when opening or closing the mouth
*Difficulty chewing or an uncomfortable bite
*Snoring, grinding of teeth, frequent ear infections and/or a restricted airway
*Swelling on the side of the face
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, visiting your dentist in Boulder is recommended. Don't just put up with headaches and jaw pain - seek treatment immediately.
TMJ Treatment Options
TMJ treatment, referred to by some dentists as TMJ therapy, involves a few options. Because TMJ is most commonly the result of a misaligned bite, which places stress on joints and muscles, your dentist will first identify and correct the unstable bite so that the teeth, the joints, and the muscles are all aligned. Using precise instruments to first relax your jaw muscles, your dentist can determine the correct bite that provides the healthiest, most relaxed state of the muscles, eliminating the tension, which causes pain.
TMJ mouth guards may also be an option for treating TMJ-soft, plastic protectors that slip over the upper and lower teeth to prevent grinding. Mouth guards make it difficult to clench the jaws, a leading cause of TMJ pain. Your dentist may also recommend routine jaw exercises to ease the clenching or grinding that is contributing to the stress on the lower jaw.
Whether TMJ is a problem that developed over time or has recently entered your life, the pain and symptoms associated with this disorder can often disrupt your lifestyle. If you are suffering from chronic headaches and/or a painful neck, schedule an appointment with your dentist. You may be suffering from TMJ. Your Boulder, CO dentist is trained to handle and promote complete healing for TMJ disorder.
by: Gen Wright
Sleep Centers Help To Cure Sleep Disorders Sleep Disorder Center Psychologist In Brisbane - How To Define Personality Disorders? Psychologist Brisbane - How You Can Identify Your Personality Disorder Problem? Brisbane Psychologist What Are The Types Of Personality Disorders? Know Your Disorder Type! Subclinical Hypothyroidism Indications: Ought To You Be Anxious About This Thyroid Disorder? Blood On Toilet Paper Can Be A Symptom Of A Number Of Possible Disorders Get To Sleep, Lessen Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Symptoms, Also Signs Of Having Diabete Sleep Disorders Treatment Sleep Disorder Centers Major Depressive Disorder Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder The Disorder Of Plants