Did you know that it’s TMJ Awareness Month? We want to make sure you are informed about TMJ syndrome and how to prevent it in the future. Do you have jaw pain or is it difficult or uncomfortable to open your mouth? Do you also get headaches or migraines? You could have TMJ disorder. Being one of the disorders with no real known cause, it’s important to spread awareness as some people may not even know they are dealing with it. This syndrome is also called TMD, this problem can often go undetected or misdiagnosed, which is why TMJ Awareness Month has been established.
What is TMJ Disorder?
TMJ is short for the temporomandibular joint. It’s a joint that connects your jaw to your skull. It works just like a hinge, smoothly moving while avoiding collision with your bones. TMJ disorder is usually caused by injury, overuse, stress, teeth clenching/grinding, and other habits that can put stress on the jaw. Also, there is no medical test to diagnose TMJ syndrome, so it’s important that once you feel pain in your jaw, you visit your dentist.
How Do You Know If You Have TMJ Disorder?
If you know the common signs and symptoms of TMJ, you can give yourself some relief. Few warning signs of this disorder include:
- Pain in your jaw joint due to stiff or sore jaw muscles.
- Pain in or around your ears, or a popping sound.
- Clicking noise in your jaw.
- Consistent headaches or migraines.
- Lock-jaw and difficulty chewing.
- Pain in or around your temples, face, or cheeks.
- Difficulty opening and closing your mouth.
- Neck/shoulder pain.
TMJ Therapy in Woodstock
These symptoms of TMJ pain can be minimized and even eliminated with proper treatment. Your local dentist in Woodstock Dental Centre– Dr. David Michaels is a great resource for TMJ therapy. You can also try these tips for at-home help with your TMJ disorder:
- Avoid overworking your jaw by sticking to softer foods and eliminating gum from your diet.
- Exercise daily.
- Gently massage the muscles around your jaw to relieve tension.
- Implement stress-reducing techniques.
- Take short breaks if you spend a lot of time sitting in the same position.
Are you ready to give yourself some relief from TMJ disorder? Now that you have more information about what this disorder is and how to treat it, you’re more prepared than ever to fight this problem during TMJ Awareness Month and beyond.
Contact us today if you are experiencing TMJ pain and our dental team in Woodstock will be sure to get a treatment plan started for you. For any TMJ related questions, you can book an appointment online or call us at (519) 537-6666.
Learn about Temporomandibular Joint Disorder HERE.