Do you regularly start your day with a headache or migraine? Have you heard clicking noises when you move your jaw or experienced prolonged earache or neck pain? If so, you may have TMJ disorder. This is a group of symptoms that affect the temporomandibular joint. This joint connects the lower jaw to the skull and it can be felt if you place your fingers on the side of your face just in front of your ear lobes and then open and close your mouth.
What exactly is TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorder is an umbrella term given to a collection of symptoms that involve the TMJ. Examples of these symptoms include:
- clicking or popping noises when you move the jaw
- tenderness and pain in and around the joint
- restricted movement in the joint
- headaches
- earache
- neck and shoulder pain
- stiffness in the jaw, especially in the morning
Why have I got TMJ disorder?
Many cases of TMJ disorder are linked to bruxism, also known as tooth grinding. Grinding the teeth at night causes additional pressure on the facial muscles surrounding the TMJ and this may be the reason you find that your head aches and your jaw feels painful and stiff when you wake up in the morning. Grinding the teeth is often linked to stress or anxiety, but it can also be caused by loose fillings and orthodontic issues that affect the alignment of the top and bottom teeth.
Some underlying health conditions, including arthritis and traumatic jaw injuries, can also increase the risk of TMJ disorder.
If you suffer from the symptoms listed above, call us now and make an appointment. We will carry out some tests and examinations to ascertain the cause. Once we have established this, we can discuss treatment options with you. These may include replacing damaged fillings, starting orthodontic treatment or fitting a custom-made bite guard to prevent bruxism. Don’t suffer in silence- make an appointment today!
Tags: Leeds Dentist TMJ, TMJ City of Leeds., TMJ disorder Central Leeds, TMJ treatment Central Leeds
