Do you or a loved one suffer from pain in your jaw, ear and/or neck? When you eat or talk, do you hear clicking or popping noises that come from your jaw joints? While some people think these symptoms will go away on their own, they shouldn’t be ignored.
What Is Causing the Pain?
If you experience the symptoms listed above, including facial swelling and pain, you could be suffering from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, also known as TMD. TMD occurs when your jaw is misaligned or there is strain on the tendons or muscles that control the jaw movement.
The temporomandibular joint acts like a hinge, connecting your lower jaw to your skull. It’s often difficult to determine why a patient has developed TMD, but common causes may include:
- Injury to the jaw or teeth
- Misalignment of the jaw or teeth
- Grinding or clenching
- Stress
- Gum chewing
Ignoring jaw issues may only aggravate the problem, cause damage to your jaw and jaw joint, and affect your ability to chew, open and close your mouth. There’s no reason to live with pain and limited jaw movement.
Good News
At Family Friendly Dentistry, we offer several different ways to treat TMD and live pain-free. While your doctor may have offered medication or told you to eat soft foods, we offer long-lasting solutions such as:
- Dental appliances such as night guards
- Orthodontic treatments
- Steroid injections
- And more
Once you begin treatment, you’ll feel relief from chronic pain, be able to enjoy eating again, reduce damage to your oral health, and have an improved quality of life. There’s no reason not to seek treatment. If you recognize the symptoms we’ve mentioned, call our office for a consultation.