Everything You Need to Know About TMJ Disorder

Everything You Need to Know About TMJ Disorder : Most people may not be aware when they have TMD or temporomandibular joint disorders. A TMD is an overuse injury of the jaw muscles and ligaments, leading to chronic pain in the head, neck, teeth, and face.

Your Gaithersburg TMJ specialist diagnoses and recommends appropriate treatment for individuals with this condition. Here are the symptoms, causes, and treatment for TMJ disorder.

What is TMJ disorder?

A TMJ joint is found on both sides of your skull near your ear lobe. It connects the lower jawbone with the base of your skull while also providing some protection for the brain stem that sits just above it. The TMJ provides stability while biting down on something, but it also allows some movement when speaking or yawning. TMJ disorder occurs when there is a problem with the connection between your jawbone and the skull.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

The symptoms of a TMJ disorder vary from person to person and may depend on the risk factors. However, the most common symptoms of TMJ disorder include pain in the jaw area or around it, earaches, headaches, and ringing in the ears.

You may also hear clicking or popping sounds inside the ear, neck stiffness, or soreness. Sometimes you may grind teeth at night while sleeping and may experience difficulty chewing food on one side of your mouth because of pain. If you experience these symptoms, it is vital to seek medical attention for a comprehensive assessment and treatment.

What causes a TMJ disorder?

A TMJ disorder can be caused by many different things, including stress and fatigue. In addition, it can occur due to certain types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, which can lead to an inflammation of the joint.

As well, a jaw injury can cause pain, especially if you delay seeking treatment. Long-term or chronic grinding of teeth can also cause this problem. Rarely, connective tissue ailments can affect the TMJ joint, thereby causing this disorder.

Treatment for TMJ disorder

If left untreated, TMJ can lead to pain and discomfort, affecting your quality of life. Many different treatment options will help reduce your symptoms and pain levels without the need to undergo surgery.

First of all, you can try a few different remedies, such as placing ice packs on the area around the joint. In addition, you can apply gentle strokes and massage the jaw and neck in a back and forth motion. You can also get over-the-counter drugs to relieve the pain. However, before you try any medicines, it is vital to talk to your doctor about them.

Also, you can avoid situations that can cause stress, such as lack of sleep, poor work-life balance, and lack of exercise. A healthy lifestyle that incorporates a balanced diet and workouts can offer relief from the symptoms.

If the symptoms persist, your doctor may recommend surgery for long-term relief.

If your TMJ is causing debilitating pain or limited mobility, you can get help by seeking treatment. Contact the specialists at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center for diagnosis and treatment.