The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are located on both sides of the face and connect the skull to the jaw. This allows you to move your jaw with ease. Unfortunately, some people suffer from a TMJ disorder called temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD). This can affect the way they eat, speak, or yawn and can cause the jaw to become irritated or inflamed. To understand why it’s important to have this condition treated as quickly as possible, read on to learn about four potential dangers of TMD.
4 Dangers of TMD
TMD is characterized by pain and tenderness in the jaw joint, face, neck, and shoulders, clicking and popping sounds in your jaw, difficulty chewing, facial swelling, toothaches, headaches, and hearing problems. Left untreated, some of the dangers of TMD include:
- Chronic jaw pain – If you ignore occasional pain or put off treatment, it may end up becoming chronic.
- Joint damage and inflammation – Neglecting to seek out prompt treatment for TMD can result in inflammation as well as damage to the joints.
- Recurring headaches – Headaches are another common symptom of TMJ disorder and can worsen if left untreated.
- Airway sleep disorder – TMJ disorder is usually caused by a misaligned bite, which can negatively affect your quality of sleep. This is because your jaw not sitting in its proper place infringes your airway and causes your brain to get less oxygen. Over time, this can cause you to develop an airway sleep disorder, which can also contribute to symptoms like headaches, neck pain, brain fog, and sleep apnea.
Possible Treatments for TMD
Though TMD can be incredibly unpleasant to deal with, there are several treatment options available to patients. A few ways that your dentist may be able to help you conquer this condition include:
- Facial stretches – This will help relax the muscles in your face throughout the day to ease discomfort.
- Occlusal adjustment – This treatment will help realign one’s bite by slightly reshaping a few of your teeth.
- Occlusal splint – This is an oral appliance that can be worn to bed to slightly adjust the jaw’s position, which allows the muscles and ligaments to heal naturally.
- A TENS machine – Gentle electronic pulses are used to massage strained muscles as well as flush out inflammatory factors.
- Botox – These injections can help stop spasming muscles and can also quickly relieve pain related to TMD.
If you’re experiencing pain related to TMD, reach out to your dentist to learn about what treatment options they have available. This will help you prevent further issues from arising and keep your smile functioning at its best!
About the Author
At Plum Grove Family Dental, Dr. Ye Wang and her exceptional team take pride in treating their Rolling Meadows patients with comfortable, dependable care. Are you having issues with your TMJ? They offer a variety of treatments that can alleviate your symptoms so you can get back to enjoying a pain-free smile. If you’re interested in setting up an appointment with Plum Grove Family Dental, visit their website or call their office at (847) 221-5860.