Temporomandibular joint disorder, otherwise known as TMJ, can be a very painful, and frustrating experience. According to The National Institute of Health, 10 million Americans are affected by this disorder. Some patients continue to go untreated and undiagnosed, leaving them at risk for causing permanent damage.
November is TMJ Awareness Month. Being one of the disorders with no real known cause, it’s important to spread awareness as some people may not even know they have it. If you have a loved one with TMJ it might be beneficial to learn more about it as well.
One of the biggest warning signs for TMJ would be a sore jaw. The temporomandibular joint is the joint that connects and controls your lower jaw. Being right beside your ear, another symptom of TMJ might be ear pain. Other symptoms include pain while chewing, facial pain, locking of the jaw along with limited range of motion, and in some cases you can hear your jaw popping.
In most cases, the cause of TMJ is still unclear. It can be caused by arthritis, an injury to the jaw, or misalignment to the joint. If you clench or grind your teeth, you may be at risk for developing this disorder. When you notice pain that isn’t going away, it may be time to call your doctor or your dentist. At Mount Royal, we use a laser to relieve pain almost immediately. Other treatments include mouth guards, home exercise, and even Botox. Give our office a call to learn more about it!