Dental work isn’t limited to treating or enhancing a patient’s teeth or gums. Your mouth and oral health are part of a much larger picture, one that influences your overall health.
Sunflower Dental works with patients who are dealing with all types of dental and oral health problems, including issues with the jaw. When you are experiencing jaw issues, you’ll need a dentist with experience in treating TMJ/TMD.
What Is TMJ/TMD?
TMJ and TMD are often used interchangeably, but the difference between these terms is the joint itself and the disorder that impacts it.
TMJ is short for the temporomandibular joint. You have two temporomandibular joints— one on each side of the jaw. When one or both of these joints experiences pain, a patient could be experiencing TMD, which stands for temporomandibular joint disorder.
What Are the Causes and Symptoms of TMJ/TMD?
TMJ/TMD can be caused by any of the following:
- Injury to teeth or the jaw.
- Stress.
- Poor posture.
- Continuous gum chewing.
- Arthritis.
- Misalignment of the jaw or teeth.
- Grinding of teeth.
Besides pain in the jaw joints, patients could experience other symptoms that point to TMJ/TMD, some of which can be debilitating. Patients experiencing any of the following symptoms should schedule an appointment for a consultation:
- Crackling or tenderness in the jaw joints.
- Pain in the jaw, face, mouth, or ear.
- Continuous toothaches.
- Difficulty chewing.
- Muscle spasms.
- Joint locking.
These symptoms can interfere with your daily routine while causing serious pain that makes it difficult to lead a good life.
Treatments for TMJ/TMD at Sunflower Dental
At Sunflower Dental, we offer patients with TMJ/TMD symptoms and pain a couple of treatment options. Because a great deal of the pain can be coming from things you do when you are asleep— such as clenching or grinding your teeth —a night guard or other type of nighttime appliance can improve the situation.
These devices can be worn at night to prevent you from waking up every day with increased pain in your jaw joints. Your nighttime appliance is produced to help treat the cause behind your TMD to give you lasting relief from your symptoms.
Experience Wellness with TMD Treatment from Sunflower Dental!
We want to help you treat your TMD and experience a better quality of life. Contact our office today to set up an appointment or to ask questions about TMJ/TMD treatment options and symptoms.