A
study show that TMJ affects up to 8% of the American population, but it is
difficult to pinpoint its exact prevalence rate because many people go
undiagnosed or never seek treatment. The condition can range from mild to
severe, so knowing what symptoms to look out for and how to treat it can help
you control the pain and keep it from worsening. Here's your guide on TMJ
disorder and how to get better.
What is TMJ?
TMJ
or Temporomandibular Joint disorder is a chronic condition where the bones in
your jaw that meet during chewing move out of place. The disorder can cause
severe pain in your neck, face, mouth and even ear. The temporomandibular joint
disorder affects the muscles that control your jaw and the jaw joints. If you
experience chronic pain in your jaw, your teeth may be grinding or clenching
too tightly, or you may feel like the motion of your jaw is restricted; it
could be caused by TMJ disorder. Please visit the tmj specialist
Albuquerque as early as possible.
What Are The Causes Of
TMJ Disorder?
TMJ
disorder is the result of jaw misalignment. Misalignments can happen due to
numerous reasons such as genetics, teeth grinding or nighttime teeth clenching
during sleep. Some people may not notice any signs, while others may experience
constant jaw pain or headaches.
What Are The Signs Of
TMJ?
TMJ
disorder symptoms can vary from person to person depending on which joints are
misaligned, and how severe the misalignment is. It's possible for there to be
no noticeable symptoms, while others may have occasional headaches or
discomfort in their jaw joint.
Often,
the first symptom that people experience with TMJ disorder is a pain in their
temporomandibular joint. Pain from the joint can cause symptoms depending on
which muscle in the mouth is affected by the disorder. The condition often
causes a popping sound when chewing food or opening one's mouth too wide. It
may also be difficult for someone to open their mouth wider than two fingers
without discomfort.
In
general, common symptoms are pain and aching in the jaw or muscles of the head
(due to spasms), neck, or shoulders; headaches that move from one side of the
head to another; loss of range of motion in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ)
on one or both sides; difficulty chewing or speaking; limited mouth opening;
clicking when moving your jaw; unexplained toothaches; unexplained dental
cavities.
If
you experience any of these signs, please visit the tmj specialist
Albuquerque right away.
How is it Diagnosed?
The
TMJ specialist will run imaging tests on your temporomandibular joint, like
x-rays or MRI scans. They may also put pressure on your jaw while moving it to
determine if there are any clicking or popping sounds when they manipulate it.
You must provide as much information about your symptoms as possible because
diagnosing TMD is a process of elimination.
What Are The Treatment
Options?
One
of the most common tmj
treatment Albuquerque is over-the-counter pain
relievers or no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This is only
effective in the short term. The use of either option can lead to
gastrointestinal ulcers and may increase bleeding during surgical procedures.
Other treatments that can help include prescription medication, physical
therapy, or psychiatric care.
If
symptoms persist after a few weeks, consult your TMJ dentist about surgery. For
example, the mandibular joint disc can be removed to relieve pressure on the
nerve endings. If a person experiences difficulty chewing or swallowing food
due to muscle spasms in their jaw, their doctor might recommend Botox
injections into their masseter muscle which will paralyze it and relaxes these
muscles. Some people choose an orthodontic appliance as a treatment because it
addresses problems with teeth alignment as well as TMJ dysfunction.
Visit the Tmj Dentist Albuquerque
You must contact your dentist if you believe you are suffering from any TMJ disorder. Dentists specialize in treating these types of issues and can pinpoint the causes easily, often providing the right treatment to help manage your symptoms.
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