Do you experience jaw pain while chewing or speaking, or do you find it difficult to chew or speak? If so, you may have a temporomandibular joint disorder or TMD. If you’re wondering what TMJ disorder is, how it can be diagnosed, and how a dentist can treat it, we’re here to help.

In this article, we will discuss everything related to TMJ disorder to help you understand what it is and when you should see a dentist.

Let’s get started.

What is TMD?

Tooth pain is associated with gum disease or a sinus infection. Cavity & stress can also lead to dental pain, and if your stress makes you grind your teeth or clench your jaw, you may face pain related to the temporomandibular joint or TMJ. The joint that joins your lower jaw to your skull, allowing you to open/close your mouth, is known as the TMJ.

Numerous problems can cause pain to occur in or around your TMJ. The pain caused in and around your TMJ is termed TMJ disorder. Moreover, grinding or clenching strains the jaw even further and can cause inflammation. TMJ disorders can impact how you eat, speak, swallow, breathe, and chew, and it is more common in women.

Excessive chewing, anxiety, orthodontic braces, arthritis, poor posture, and stress can cause TMJ disorder. Now that you know what TMJ is, let’s discuss its symptoms in the next section.

Temporomandibular disorders(TMD)

What are the Symptoms Associated with Temporomandibular Joint Disorder?

Pain is the most prominent and common symptom of TMJ disorder. TMJ pain can feel like a light ache in your jaw and other areas around it. You may also feel a sensation in your ears. Other common symptoms of TMJ disorders include:

  • Neck pain
  • Shoulder pain
  • Stiffness in jaw muscles
  • Diminished hearing
  • Ear pain
  • Chronic headache or migraine
  • Sensitive teeth
  • Hampered vision
  • Dizziness
  • Popping in the jaw or limited movement of the jaw

You should note that it is common to face occasional discomfort or problems while chewing, and it isn’t alarming. Oftentimes, TMJ disorders go away on their own, and they also get better with treatment.

How to Diagnose TMD?

Temporomandibular disorders

TMJ disorder cannot be diagnosed directly because it doesn’t have specific tests. Still, your healthcare practitioner may look into your medical history or take X-rays to diagnose TMJ disorder. To check if you have TMD, your dentist will:

  • Observe your jaw when you move your mouth.
  • Press on your jaw to identify discomforting areas.
  • Dig deeper to determine the problem through Panoramic X-rays, MRI scans, and CBCT scans.

What are the Nonsurgical Treatments for TMJ Disorder?

If your medical practitioner has diagnosed TMD, they may recommend some nonsurgical treatment options like:

  • Using cold & heat packs. The practitioner will recommend you apply a cold pack for about 10 minutes, then exercise your jaw, and then apply a heat pack for 5 minutes. You’ll have to repeat this process a few times a day.
  • Take over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Your doctor may also recommend muscle relaxants in case of extreme grinding or clenching and anti-anxiety pills to relieve stress.
  • Eat soft foods to ensure your jaw doesn’t overwork. For example, you can eat foods like eggs, potatoes, cooked beans and vegetables, fish, soup, cottage cheese, etc.
  • Avoid chewing gum.
  • Wear a night guard or splint to provide stability to your teeth while you’re asleep.
  • Try to yawn and chew as little as possible.
  • Ensure you have a good posture to reduce facial or neck pain.
  • Undergo treatments in case of a missing tooth.
  • Try to relax your jaw muscles using certain techniques.

How Can the Dentists at Perfect Smile Help?

The dentists at Perfect Smile will ensure that they keep your dental health in check. They’ll examine your teeth to diagnose TMJ disorder and recommend appropriate dental treatments depending on the severity of your problem. Our experienced professionals will also recommend nonsurgical treatments so that you can reduce the effects of TMD at home.

If you are experiencing symptoms related to TMD, you should visit the nearest Perfect Smile clinic to talk to a dentist and start an effective treatment right away!