If you have jaw pain, morning headaches, and tooth wear, you may have TMD. The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) are sliding hinges that connect the jawbone to the skull. An injury or stress to these joints can cause TMJ disorders. TMD, also referred to as TMJ, can cause daily pain and discomfort to many patients. Cooper Family Dental offers TMJ treatment in Arlington, TX, to reduce pain and renew jaw and tooth function.
Signs of TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders can manifest in many ways, including these common symptoms:
- Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- Headaches and migraines
- Jaw pain
- Pain biting and chewing
- Damaged teeth
Many patients may not know they have a TMJ disorder because symptoms occur unconsciously. Teeth clenching and grinding are common symptoms during stressful situations or at night. Uneven pressure on the joints can contribute to bruxism.
Tension in the facial muscles can also create headaches. Many patients who experience nightly bruxism can wake up with toothaches, jaw pain, and headaches or migraines.
Arthritis, stress, anxiety, and even crooked teeth can contribute to TMD. Treating these problems in addition to TMD can reduce the frequency and intensity of your symptoms.
TMJ Treatment Arlington, TX
Before treatment, we will take X-rays to get a full view of your teeth, gums, and jaw. We can recommend treatment based on your symptoms and physical signs of TMD. There isn’t one single treatment for TMJ disorders. A combination of treatments can help treat TMD and lessen the risk of flare-ups over time:
Nightguards
TMJ nightguards are similar to mouthguards but cover the upper or lower teeth. We take dental impressions of your teeth to create these oral appliances or splints.
Then, we send these impressions to a lab, which creates the nightguard from hard acrylic. When you return to our office, we will make adjustments to ensure the nightguard fits properly. You will wear the nightguard during sleep to prevent teeth clenching and grinding. The nightguard not only protects the teeth from each other but also keeps the jaw in line.
Physical Therapy
Visiting a physical therapist can help relax your muscles. Massage, heat, and exercises are the main components of physical therapy for TMD.
Working the muscles in the upper body, including the arms, shoulders, and back, can reduce tension. Tension in the upper body can increase the risk of worsening symptoms. Adding exercises from physical therapy to your everyday routine may reduce muscle stiffness.
Lifestyle Changes
In addition to physical therapy exercise, we will recommend lifestyle changes to manage daily symptoms. For example, we may recommend that you eat soft foods because hard foods put pressure on the teeth and jaw. Eating soft foods as you begin other TMJ treatments can improve results.
Taking prescribed medication for anxiety or muscle relaxants before sleep may also decrease the risk of bruxism. Heat and cold compresses are valuable to reduce facial and jaw pain.
Bite Equilibration
Straightening teeth can reduce TMJ symptoms because crooked teeth contribute to TMJ disorders. We may also recommend a dental crown or bonding for worn or broken teeth. Creating an even bite reduces facial tension and symptoms like teeth clenching and grinding.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Learn more about TMJ disorders with answers to these commonly asked questions:
How does posture impact the TMJ?
Poor posture can worsen TMJ symptoms. You have a forward head posture if you hunch over your phone or laptop. This position brings the jaw forward and increases pressure on the head and neck.
When you sit and stand up straight with a screen in line with your sight line, you reduce tension in the jaw, neck, and shoulders. If you pay attention to your posture, you can correct it over time. As a result, you can reduce the risk of a TMJ flare-up.
Do I need heat or cold for TMJ pain?
We recommend a cold compress to reduce pain from a jaw or TMJ injury. We recommend a warm compress to relax your muscles if you have recurring jaw pain. Use ice or heat for 15 minutes at a time for several times a day.
What causes TMJ flare-ups?
Multiple causes of TMJ flare-ups include:
- Eating hard and crunchy foods
- Poor posture
- Chewing gum
- Stress
- Using teeth to open objects
- Chewing on ice
Managing stress, stopping bad health habits, and avoiding crunchy foods can make your everyday life more comfortable.
Are TMJ disorders permanent?
In some cases, you can cure mild cases of TMJ disorders. However, some patients may deal with long-term TMJ symptoms. We recommend that patients contact us for TMJ treatment as soon as possible to control symptoms and reduce the risk of long-lasting TMD.
How do you relax your jaw?
If you feel your jaw is tense, you can relax your jaw by putting it in the proper position. Gently place the tip of your tongue to the roof of your mouth. Ensure your teeth stay apart. When you notice your jaw tense, relax your jaw this way so it becomes a good habit.
Why does my jaw pop when I yawn?
If you have a TMJ disorder, jaw dysfunction can increase your risk of pain when eating and yawning. When you have TMD and yawn too wide, you can experience jaw pain and jaw popping. Jaw dysfunction or tension can restrict your jaw’s movement.
When you yawn, gently press the bottom of your chin with your fingers. Then, push up to ensure your mouth doesn’t open wide enough to pop your jaw. Opening your jaw too wide can create TMJ pain and inflammation. In severe cases, it can dislocate your jaw.
Treat Jaw Pain
Do you clench and grind your teeth? Get immediate care to treat your TMJ disorder. Call 817-646-1217 for TMJ treatment in Arlington, TX, today. You can also schedule an appointment at Cooper Family Dental online.
Let us know if you have any questions about TMJ disorders at your next visit. We will be glad to help you. Our dental office treats patients from Pantego, Dalworthington Gardens, and the surrounding Arlington communities.