Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Syndrome or Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) occurs when the joint that connects the jaw and the skull is damaged, leading to a localized pain disorder. TMJ may be caused by injury to the jaw or the teeth, dental misalignment, poor posture, teeth clenching/grinding, arthritis, stress, and excessive gum chewing. Here are 5 important facts about TMJ:
- Symptoms and early warning signs include jaw pain, clicking and popping in the jaw, severe headache that is concentrated in the temple, ear pain, popping sounds in the ears, incessant soreness of the jaw muscles, and constant locking of the jaw joint.
- The following people are particularly vulnerable:
- women between the ages of 18 and 44
- people struggling with inflammatory arthritis
- people with a bad posture that affects the neck and upper back muscles
- people that clench their jaw muscles excessively, and
- people with misaligned teeth.
- There is no medical test to diagnose TMJ. To confirm the condition, your dentist may have to send you to an oral or maxillofacial specialist, an ENT doctor, or to another dentist that specializes in jaw disorders.
- Trigeminal neuralgia has symptoms that are similar to TMJ’s. The patient suffers from pain in the jaw and some parts of the face.
- The temporomandibular joint disorder is treated by Botox injections, dental splints, medications, physical therapy, and in the most severe of cases, surgery.
If you notice any of the symptoms above, schedule an appointment with a dentist. If you work/live around Cypress, Texas, pay us a visit at Spring Cypress Dental; we have a team of highly trained healthcare professionals and a state-of-the-art dental clinic. Call 281-256-3222 to make an appointment.