TMJ treatment: The causes of TMJ

August 2023

TMJ pain can be very difficult to live with. It does not go away on its own; in fact, it gets worse and worse over time, affecting more areas of your face and body than just your jaw. It can come on suddenly due to an injury, or it can come on slowly with no known cause. Either way, TMJ can be treated, and you can live a life free from TMJ pain. Keep reading to learn more about TMJ, possible causes, and how to get TMJ treatment.

What causes TMJ and TMD?

Temporomandibular disorders https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmd (TMDs) are a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. “TMDs” refers to the disorders, and “TMJ” refers only to the temporomandibular joint itself. People have two TMJs, one on each side of the jaw. You can feel them by placing your fingers in front of your ears and opening your mouth.

Some common causes of TMJ that lead to TMJ treatment include:

Injury
Teeth grinding
Dental issues
Jaw clenching
Stress
Arthritis
Malocclusion, which is a misaligned bite
Poor posture
Sleep apnea
Excessive chewing, such as gum or ice

Some simple lifestyle changes can help ease the symptoms of TMJ, such as avoiding hard foods, using over-the-counter pain relievers, or using a cold compress. However, many people with severe TMJ pain and symptoms may require treatment from a TMJ specialist.

Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

If you have TMJ pain, it is important to seek TMJ treatment as soon as possible before your condition worsens. Severe TMJ and TMD can lead to life-altering issues that affect everyday life. Some of the major symptoms of TMJ that you shouldn’t ignore include:

Pain in the jaw
Pain spreading to other parts of the face
Neck and shoulder pain
Jaw stiffness
Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
Jaw popping or clicking noises
More frequent headaches
Headaches so severe they seem like a migraine
Earaches and tinnitus
Toothaches
A change in the way your bite fits

Get TMJ treatment with raio dental

Whether you suffered an injury to your jaw or are unsure what the cause of your TMJ is, getting treatment to live a pain-free life is possible. If you are looking for relief from TMJ and are ready to take the next step, we are here for you.

Located in Medford, New York, Dr. Raio is an Airway Health Specialist and Restorative Dentist. He has over 25 years of clinical experience, is a strong advocate of ongoing education, and remains on the cutting edge of the most advanced treatments available for the treatment of his patients. The clinic offers a wide range of services, such as general services, specialty services, and sleep dentistry.

For more information, TMJ and TMD tips, and book an appointment with us today, visit our website at www.raiodental.com