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Are You One More TMJ Click Away From Expert Dental Advice?

Tuesday, October 7th, 2014

5828041_blogTMJ disorder is usually mild, but it can cause unpleasant symptoms and affect your day to day life. If you’re suffering with TMJ problems, we can help! We are just a phone call away and we also provide expert advice via our website.

What is TMJ disorder?

TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint; TMJ disorder is the name given to a collection of symptoms, which affect this joint. The TMJ is a very busy and important joint; it joins the lower jaw to the skull and is involved in common actions, such as opening and closing the mouth and moving the jaw. Common symptoms of TMJ disorder include clicking and popping noises in the jaw, stiffness or pain in the joint, restricted movement, earache, headaches and neck and shoulder pain.

In some cases, TMJ disorder may be linked to tooth grinding, which is commonly caused by stress of anxiety. Biting down on the teeth increases pressure on the joint and the facial muscles and this contributes to aches and pains. Other potential causes include injuries to the joint and orthodontic problems.

How we can help

In many cases, no formal treatment is required and symptoms disappear quickly; however, in more serious cases, treatment may be required. If TMJ disorder is linked to tooth grinding, we recommend using a bite guard, which is a device used to prevent the upper and lower sets of teeth clashing during the night. We can also recommend stress management techniques. If orthodontic issues could be a factor, we can examine the mouth and analyse the bite to see if orthodontic treatment would be beneficial; this usually involves braces, but there are many different treatment systems available today, including discreet and very quick options.