TMJ is a condition of the jaw muscle that helps to open and close your mouth. At advanced stages, some sufferers may find it difficult to eat because of the pain associated with the disorder. Sometimes TMJ is referred to as TMD. The side effects of TMJ don't stop at pain in the jaw muscle though. Your teeth can suffer too.
People diagnosed with TMJ typically grind their teeth during the day and at night. The act of grinding the teeth is called bruxism. It's okay to very occasionally grind your teeth under times of stress, however, daily grinding puts a lot of stress on the teeth and over time may cause them to become damaged. People who grind their teeth are also more susceptible to tooth decay and gum disease.
What To Look For
It may be hard to detect whether you have TMJ or not, but there are some signs you can be aware of to detect it quickly. The first sign of TMJ is an almost daily pain below the cheek. This is where the muscle that helps open and close the mouth is and pain here is a good indication of early signs of TMJ. Another sign to be aware of is ear pain or ringing in the ear.
Many people associate these symptoms with tinnitus, however, it's possible they could be a sign of TMJ. The last sign to look out for is soreness of your teeth or jaws in the morning. Many people who grind their teeth do so only at night when they are unconscious. It may be possible that you grind your teeth at night and don't even know it, so checking for soreness in the morning is a good way to identify early signs of TMJ.
There are many different ways to help TMJ, and we can help you find the right one. Catching TMJ early is imperative for your dental health so give our office a call at (608) 960-7650, and we'll help you set up an appointment so you can help determine if you have TMJ.
Dental Blog | Madison Oral Surgery and Dental Implants The doctors at Madison Oral Surgery and Dental Implants have provided this blog to help our patients and the community. We hope our blog will cover the many topics that you and your family may be interested in. Madison Oral Surgery & Dental Implants, 2921 Landmark Place, Suite 100, Madison, WI 53713 + (608) 960-7650 + madisonoralsurgeons.com + 12/6/2023 + Page Keywords: Oral Surgeon, Dental Implants, All on 4, Wisdom Teeth Extractions
TMJ is a condition of the jaw muscle that helps to open and close your mouth. At advanced stages, some sufferers may find it difficult to eat because of the pain associated with the disorder. Sometimes TMJ is referred to as TMD. The side effects of TMJ don't stop at pain in the jaw muscle though. Your teeth can suffer too.