For many, waking up in the morning with pain in the face, or having lockjaw has become normal. If this situation sounds familiar, you might have a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMJ for short. Although this can be painful, reaching out to a dentist near you about treating TMJ early can significantly reduce more severe pain down the line.
Diagnosing TMJ
If you’ve experienced any of the following symptoms, there is a chance you might have TMJ. These symptoms are:
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Noise clicking, cracking or scraping as you move your jaw
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Jaw pain
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A sensation of tightness over your face
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Headaches
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Pain in the ear
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Dizziness
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A sense of fullness in the ear (tinnitus) or ringing
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Difficulty keeping your jaw open
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Lockjaw
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Discomfort when chewing
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Pain when you wake up
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Pain when you are stressed
If this sounds familiar to you, we encourage you to visit a dentist in Forest Lake where a more accurate diagnosis can be made. Your dentist will conduct a physical exam to monitor for a TMJ condition by testing your jaw’s full motion and determining whether you are reaching your entire range. Your dentist will apply pressure to different areas along your jaw, to help them recognize TMJ-symptoms and trigger points for the pain you are experiencing.
What Causes TMJ?
Here are some of the causes behind TMJ:
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A bite between upper and lower jaws that is misaligned
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Teeth grinding or clenching
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Movement between the ball and the socket of the joint of the soft cushion or disc
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Joint arthritis
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Stress, which can cause a person to tense the muscles of the face and jaw or clench the teeth
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Injury to the jaw, head, or neck that affects TMJ
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Missing or worn teeth that create uneven biting surfaces
Why It’s Important to Catch TMJ Early
It can be challenging to live with TMJ because it affects not just your sleep, but also affects your mood, and eating patterns. Untreated TMJ can lead to additional medical concerns such as sleep disturbance, insomnia or drug or alcohol addiction if patients use it to treat their pain. The grinding of teeth can also lead to dental concerns, such as a swollen jaw, worn down enamel and chipped teeth. In severe cases, some have found that their hearing is becoming compromised. While these symptoms can sound scary, recognizing the symptoms and locating TMJ treatment near you will significantly reduce your risk of experiencing further complications.
Treating TMJ Early
There are various therapies appropriate for relieving the effects of TMJ so that your sleep quality and food satisfaction can be restored. It is suggested you seek a functional dentist who can assess the situation. Your TMJ treatment in Forest Lake might include a combination of the following:
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TMJ oral (or sleep) appliances which are used to realign your jaw and take pressure off your joints.
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Prescribed medication, including muscle relaxants, can help relieve pain and reduce pain.
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Botox injections can help relax specific muscles and reduce pain.
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Physical therapy where patients are given massages, hot and cold therapy and at-home exercises to improve jaw alignment.
TMJ Treatment Near You
A click in the jaw may seem like a slight annoyance, but it may result in a lot of pain and discomfort down the road. Suppose the symptoms indicated in this article sound familiar and you believe that TMJ is to blame. In that case, we encourage you to reach out to our dental professionals at Forest Lake Dental. Appointments can be booked by calling or booking online.