Are you experiencing pain or discomfort when eating or speaking? Perhaps you are hearing a popping or grinding noise during the movement of your jaw? It might be TMJ disorder. Around 12% of the population experience TMJ disorder at one point in their lives. Understanding the causes of TMJ disorder can help you make informed decisions and know when to meet the tmj specialist Albuquerque.
What is TMJ Joint?
Before discussing TMJ disorder, it’s important to know about TMJ joint for better understanding. The temporomandibular joint is located at the base of the skull. It’s the joint that allows for the movement required for chewing and talking. The joints connect the lower jaw and temporal bone, and it helps to move the jaw from side to side and open and close. When this joint is affected or starts to experience dysfunction, it becomes problematic and painful.
What is TMJ Disorder?
Probably you mightn’t have heard about TMJ disorder. TMJ disorder is a dental condition that affects the joints TMJ, specifically. It causes pain and inflammation that impacts the temporomandibular joints. When you have TMJ disorder, you may find it difficult to open and close your mouth, eat, laugh, and speak. When you have a TMJ disorder, you might have pain, inflammation, and discomfort.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
According to the American Dental Association, the following are the possible causes:-
– Arthritis can damage the joint’s cartilage
– Dislocation of the disk due to the pressure from the misaligned teeth
– Teeth grinding and clenching
– An injury or trauma
– Disc erosion
What are the Sign and Symptoms?
While various symptoms are associated with TMJ disorder, the following are the most common signs and symptoms:-
– Clicking and popping sound when there’s a movement in the jaw
– Stiff jaw muscles
– Limited jaw movements or locking jaw
– Pain radiating in the jaw, ear, face, and neck
– A significant change in the way the lower and upper teeth meet
– Discomfort or difficulty while chewing or opening the mouth
– Pain and tenderness, especially in the jaw joint
– Pain in and around ear
If you experience any of these symptoms, please visit a tmj dentist Albuquerque right away or as early as possible.
What are the Treatment Options?
There are a range of tmj treatment Albuquerque options, including
Make some lifestyle changes like avoiding clenching or tensing the jaw, eating soft foods, etc., until the symptoms completely disappear.
If degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis cause the TMJ disorder, it’s better to treat the existing condition to reduce the pain and discomfort.
In more extreme cases of TMJ disorder, surgery might be the best course of treatment for pain and restricted movement.
If you’re suffering from TMJ disorder, please visit a TMJ specialist as early as possible.
The author is a blogger and the best dentist in Albuquerque. Along with the team of professionals, he provides a range of dental services, including tmj treatment Albuquerque that is designed to improve patient’s health and smile. Visit https://www.wgregoryrosedds.com/ for more details.
0
