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Posts Tagged ‘TMJ disorder Central Leeds’

How to Treat TMJ Disorder

Friday, July 29th, 2016

3534882_blogTMJ is the shortened name for a disorder of the temporomandibular joints of the mouth. The temporomandibular joints are situated on either side of a person’s head and connect the jawbone to the skull. Temporomandibular disorder develops when either or both of these joints stop functioning properly. TMJ disorder can be quite debilitating as these joints are necessary for eating, talking and smiling.

TMJ disorder affects over 35 million people around the world and while the exact cause of TMJ disorder is unknown, there is a list of contributing factors including infections, autoimmune diseases, jaw injuries and arthritis. A number of genetic, hormonal and environmental factors can also increase the risk of developing TMJ disorder. Studies have shown that a genetic variant, which increases pain sensitivity, has been found to be more prevalent amongst TMJ patients and stress is also believed to be a cause of the condition.

Symptoms of TMJ include persistent ear pain, a stiff jaw, unexplained soreness in the jaw, a popping or clicking sound when the jaw is moved and consistent headaches. This is only a selection of common symptoms and if you have these and other symptoms and suspect you may have TMJ disorder, try eating only soft foods for a day or two and using an ice pack to alleviate pain. You should also avoid chewing gum and opening your mouth too wide. Pain can be managed with over-the-counter remedies. If symptoms persist or worsen and you are from Leeds, contact City Dental today.

As TMJ disorder is still being studied, scientists and healthcare professionals prefer to treat the disorder as gently as possible, with conservative treatments that do not cause permanent changes in the jaw or the position of the jaw. Most TMJ patients manage their pain by making changes in their diets (increasing their intake of soft foods) and through the use of paracetamol or aspirin.

Are You Suffering from TMJ Without Realising?

Friday, February 26th, 2016

3534882_blogDo you frequently wake up with a headache or experience pain when you open and close your mouth? Have you noticed that your jaw clicks or pops when you move your mouth? If you’ve answered yes to these questions, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder is a group of symptoms that affect the TM (this is the joint that joins your lower jaw to your skull). The TMJ (temporomandibular joint) is an important joint that enables you to move your jaw up and down and from side to side.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

The main symptoms of TMJ disorder include:

  • pain in and around the joint
  • stiffness and inflammation
  • restricted range of movement
  • clicking and popping noises when you move your mouth
  • neck and shoulder pain
  • headaches

What causes TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder can be caused by lots of different factors, including injuries and accidents, orthodontic issues, bruxism (tooth grinding) and underlying health conditions that affect the joint, such as arthritis. When you see your dentist with signs of TMJ disorder, they will try to establish the cause so that they can find a suitable treatment option.

In many cases, symptoms of TMJ disorder die down without the need for treatment. However treatment options are available for persistent or recurrent symptoms. Your dentist may be able to help by treating issues with misalignment or bruxism. Bruxism can often be prevented by using a bite guard, which is a dental appliance that sits in the mouth to prevent contact between the upper and lower arches of teeth.

If you would like advice about dealing with TMJ disorder or you have unexplained symptoms that are troubling you, call us now! We can help to ease your aches and pains and ensure you start every morning feeling refreshed and ready for the day ahead.

 

Taking Care of Your Jaw Joints

Saturday, July 18th, 2015

2839654_blogMany people are aware that we need to take steps to look after our teeth and gums, but have you ever spared a thought for your jaw joint? Your jaw is heavily involved with lots of commonly performed actions and movements and it can be susceptible to wear and tear. We see many patients who have signs of TMJ(temporomandibular joint) disorder and if you regularly suffer from migraines, jaw pain or stiffness around the jaw, this could be causing problems for you too. Here is a brief guide to help you prevent jaw pain and cope with symptoms of TMJ disorder:

What is TMJ disorder?

This disorder is a fairly common condition characterised by symptoms that affect the TMJ. These symptoms include jaw, neck, shoulder and ear pain, headaches and migraines, a restricted range of movement in the jaw, stiffness and soreness in the joint and clicking and popping noises when you move your jaw. Most cases don’t require formal treatment, but if you suffer from severe or persistent symptoms, treatment may be recommended.

TMJ disorder can be caused by underlying health issues affecting the connective tissue, such as arthritis, but many cases are linked to tooth grinding. Grinding the teeth not only damages the them, it also increases pressure on the muscles around the joint and leads to wear and tear in the connective tissue. If you grind your teeth, it’s a good idea to see your dentist, as they can provide treatment to help prevent clenching and subsequently reduce the risk of developing symptoms. We provide custom-made bite guards to prevent contact between the top and bottom teeth when you’re sleeping and this helps to preserve the teeth and components of the joints.

When should I see my dentist?

If you suffer from jaw pain that comes and goes regularly or gets worse, see your dentist. They will be able to examine the joint and carry out X-rays to identify any problems and find appropriate treatments and remedies.

Terrible TMJ Problems Giving You Trouble? We Can Help!

Monday, June 8th, 2015

3534882_blogTMJ disorder can make life very painful, but thankfully, we can help! If you get regular headaches or migraines, suffer with jaw pain or hear clicking or popping noises when you open your mouth, you don’t have to suffer in silence. Call us and make an appointment today!

About TMJ disorder

The TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint. This joint is one of the most heavily used in the human body and you can feel it working if you just place your finger by the side of your ear lobes and then open your mouth. The TMJ connects the skull to the lower jaw and it comes into action when you cough, sneeze, talk, yawn and eat.

TMJ disorder is a group of symptoms associated with the TMJ. Examples of these symptoms include:

  • clicking and popping noises in the jaw
  • stiffness and a reduced range of movement in the jaw
  • headaches and migraines
  • neck and shoulder pain
  • jaw pain

What causes TMJ disorder?

There are various possible causes of TMJ disorder, including:

  • stress and anxiety
  • dental injury and trauma
  • tooth grinding
  • arthritis

How we can help

Many cases of TMJ disorder do not require formal treatment. However, if you have symptoms that are getting worse, or you suffer from them on a regular basis, it is a good idea to see your dentist or doctor. Possible treatment options for TMJ disorder include stress management therapy, using a bite guard to prevent bruxism (tooth grinding) and treating underlying injuries and health conditions. Bruxism is a major cause of TMJ disorder, as it increases tension and strain in the muscles around the joint. By creating a custom-fit bite guard, we can reduce tension in the muscles and help to prevent pain.

If you have concerns about TMJ disorder, now is the time to act. Call today to book an appointment.

Are Your Headaches Caused by TMJ Problems?

Monday, April 13th, 2015

2143132_blogDo 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!

What is TMJ Disorder and How is it Treated?

Monday, March 16th, 2015

2143132_blogTMJ disorder stands for temporomandibular joint disorder, a group of symptoms that affect the temporomandibular joint, the joint, which joins the lower jaw to the skull. If you regularly wake up with aches and pains, you grind your teeth or you suffer from migraines, TMJ disorder could be the reason. Sometimes TMJ disorder is referred to as myofascial pain disorder.

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder is a term used to describe a range of symptoms that involve the TMJ. Examples include:

  • stiffness and restricted movement in the jaw
  • clicking and popping noises
  • headaches and migraines
  • shoulder and neck pain
  • pain when you move the jaw

TMJ disorder is a very common problem and it is estimated at almost a third of adults suffer from symptoms at some point in their lives.

What causes TMJ disorder?

There are various possible causes of these symptoms, including stress, tooth grinding (also known as bruxism), an uneven bite, arthritis and injury. Many cases are linked to bruxism and clenching the teeth, as this increases pressure on the facial muscles, which may lead to stiffness and discomfort.

When should I see a dentist or my doctor?

Many cases of TMJ disorder are mild and symptoms disappear without any need for treatment; however, if you experience symptoms on a regular basis, you are in pain, you have pain, which is getting worse or the condition is affecting your day to day life, it’s advisable to see your doctor or dentist. There are various treatment options, which can help to ease symptoms and make you feel more comfortable.

Treatment for TMJ disorder

There are a few different options for treating TMJ disorder and the treatment oath usually reflects the cause. In cases where bruxism is to blame, stress and anxiety management techniques may be beneficial and we can also provide custom-made bite guards, which prevent the upper and lower arches of teeth grinding together. If you have an uneven bite, orthodontic treatment to correct the alignment of the teeth and jaws may be recommended.

Looking out for your TMJ in Central Leeds

Wednesday, January 15th, 2014

3520145_blogYou may not even realise just how delicate your mouth is and may take it for granted that it will be there for you, whatever you chuck at it- that is until you get a wake up call when something goes wrong. The most delicate of spots in the mouth are the temporomandibular joints (TMJ); this is the point where the lower jaw meets the upper jaw and they are quite tiny and they rely on the muscles around them in order to operate freely. They can cope with you nattering away and eating your heart out each day in central Leeds, but what they don’t need is to be exposed to other extra-curricular dangers. If you love physical sports, you need to ensure you protect your mouth as well as you can; teeth grinding can also wreck these joints. If you find your jaws clicking or aching all of the time, you must act fast because you are thin ice now; you don’t want to start having surgery, because that is what it will take to repair badly damaged jaw-joints- ironically the term TMJ is what is used for the condition of damaged joints. Worse still, injury here can also impact through all areas of your head, down through the neck and into your upper back- and then you truly are in serious trouble. No-one is saying that you should stop having fun in life, but just be aware of the delicate nature of your mouth and jaws and protect them the best you can.

 

 

You and Your Jaws in Central Leeds

Friday, June 15th, 2012

There are many things that can go wrong with your mouth and so there are many things to be on the lookout for in central Leeds. But it’s not all about the teeth and gums for these are just two parts of the jigsaw- just as important is the jaws. There is a lot of forces that go through the point at where the jaws meet, or to give it the technical term, the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Every day, you are chewing and talking- okay these are natural things that the jaws can handle, what you are trying to avoid is over working it or putting it at too much risk. Sports are to be encouraged at all times, but you should also take precautions to protect your jaw at all costs- especially with contact sports. Teeth grinding can also be very dangerous for the jaws and even though, as in sports, a mouth-guard will help to lessen the damage done to the teeth and gums, the forces are still being exerted through biting down on the guard. Overtime this will damage the jaws, neck and upper back and you may also do damage to your hearing and bring on bad headaches. The damage done will require quite complex surgery to put right. If you want to know more about your TMJ, you should get in contact with your dentist.

TMJ Problems can Dramatically Affect One’s Health in Central Leeds

Wednesday, April 18th, 2012

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ (temporomandibular joint) disorders affect the temporomandibular joint, which is located just in front of the ear. The joint connects the jawbone (known as the mandible) to the skull (close to the temple) and is responsible for many movements, including yawning, opening and closing the mouth and biting. In most cases, TMJ disorder causes pain in the jaw and restricted movement in the TMJ. TMJ disorder is also known as TMJ pain, TMJ dysfunction and myofascial pain disorder.

TMJ disorder is common and around 1 in 10 people will experience symptoms of TMJ disorder at some point in their lives.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

  • Symptoms of TMJ disorder found in Central Leeds include:
  • Pain when biting down and chewing on food.
  • Restricted movement in the TMJ joint, which may make yawning and opening and closing the mouth difficult.
  • Clicks and noises when you move the joint.
  • Symptoms affecting the ears, including increased sensitivity to noise and vertigo.
  • Locking of the jaw.
  • Headaches

What causes TMJ disorder?

TMJ disorder can be caused by many different factors, including over-activity of the jaw, which may be caused by grinding and clenching the teeth and damage to the joint, which may be caused by arthritis or general wear and tear.

Treating TMJ disorder

If TMJ disorder is caused by arthritis, the underlying cause will be treated. If clenching and grinding are causing symptoms, it may be advisable to wear a protective guard during the night and we can custom-make mouth guards to prevent teeth grinding. In many cases, resting the jaw joint can ease symptoms and pain relief medication can also be very effective.