Could The Popping In Your Jaw Mean TMJ Disorder?
If you have strained jaw joints, this could place pressure on your smile and over time, lead to issues like TMJ disorder, also known as TMD. In today’s blog, we’re looking at symptoms of this disorder, and when you may need to see your Cleveland, TX, dentist for treatment. Care could prevent uncomfortable symptoms from occurring!
Popping Jaws and Other Symptoms
People with TMJ disorder may experience a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, as well as jaw pain, facial aches, and even discomfort in the neck and shoulders. Headaches and migraines are common too. Since the issue could make bruxism more likely and vice-versa, then toothaches and tooth sensitivity could be experienced too. If you recognize one or more of these common symptoms. We urge you to let us know and undergo an exam to see if you need treatment!
Causes and Dangers
The joints that connect our jaw and skull are known as the temporomandibular joints. These control the movements and actions necessary to eat and speak. When they become strained and stressed, this could lead to TMJ disorder, and eventually, trouble fully opening and closing your mouth. Causes include factors that upset the balance of the bite and strain your joints, such as injury, bruxism, tooth loss, malocclusion, misalignment, and even high levels of stress. To avoid discomfort, you need to seek treatment with our team.
Treatment for TMD
For some, we could recommend orthodontic treatment to correct the alignment of the teeth and reduce strain, such as braces or clear aligners. For others, the placement of a crown could help restore balance to the smile. Replacing missing teeth with a bridge, denture, or dental implant could also improve overall balance and ease strain. However, the most common solution is an oral appliance.
We take detailed images of your smile, and use them to design and craft an oral appliance that looks and fits much like a simple mouthguard. However, the device is worn as you sleep and actually repositions your jaw to ease strain and stress, so you avoid symptoms during waking hours. You could also help with a warm compress against the side of the face to ease tension. If you have any questions about how we design and treat an issue like TMJ disorder, then contact our team today.
Do You Have Questions About TMJ Disorder?
We want to use a comfy device to treat imbalance and strain in your smile. If you would like to learn more about treating strain in your smile, then schedule a consultation today by contacting Cleveland Family Dentistry in Cleveland, TX, at (281) 592-1234. You can also find our practice at 205 E. Houston St. Cleveland, TX 77327.