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Don’t Take Chances With TMJ Disorders – Cure Them Quick With These Remedies!
TMJ disorders are not commonly known, and many people may not get
the appropriate TMJ treatment because they do not know of the TMJ
disorder or TMJ symptoms. This article will explain what TMJ disorders
are, what the symptoms are and what treatment is available.
TMJ disorders are also known as TMD and temporomandibular joint
disorders. The name TMJ disorder signifies a disorder of the temporomandibular
joint (or TMJ). These are the joints that connect the lower jaw
to the skull. The joints are located in front of each ear, but TMJ
disorders can be related to any disorders or problems in this area.
More About TMJ Disorders
TMJ disorders covers a range of symptoms and problems, but the main
factor in TMJ disorders is usually pain related to the jaw. TMJ is
not a specific disease or condition but a type of condition that may
be attributed to a number of factors. There are different types of
TMJ disorders, including jaw pain, headaches related to injury to
the jaw and jaw irregularities causing discomfort.
Signs and Symptoms of TMJ
Here are some of the TMJ symptoms that may be experienced.
Facial pain
Dull ache around the jaw area
Discomfort when eating food
Chewing difficulty
A click-like sound when opening the mouth
Inability to open the mouth properly or locking of the jaw.
Headache
Earache
Sensitive teeth.
Causes of TMJ
Many TMJ disorders are caused by stress on jaw muscles, face, neck,
teeth, ligaments, blood vessels and nerves. This stress can be caused
from habitual actions, like teeth-grinding, jaw-clenching and chewing
gum. It can also be caused from an external injury or trauma to the
jaw area.
Myofascial pain is one type of TMJ disorder. Cervical Myofascial
pain generally occurs when there is trauma or overuse of the muscles
in the shoulder and neck. It may sometimes be brought about by a
car accident, where the neck was injured.
Emotional stress can also play a part, as it can contribute to
people clenching or grinding their teeth. When teeth are clenched,
the top and bottom teeth are tightly clamped down together, putting
stress on the muscles, tissues and jaw. When people grind their
teeth, they move their teeth over each other in a back-and-forth
movement. This wears down the teeth.
Poor posture can also contribute to TMJ syndrome. Muscles along
the face and neck area can be strained by poor posture.
Other factors that may contribute to TMJ disorders include:
Poor diet
Lack of sleep
Arthritis
Fractures
Dislocations
Structural problems.
Screening and Diagnosis of TMJ Disorders
If you think you may be suffering from TMJ disorders, you should see a
tmj dentist. They may also recommend you see a dentist who specializes in treating TMJ (a neuromuscular dentist). Your doctor (and specialist, if you see one) should give you a
physical examination. The examination may include:
Examining the joints and muscles.
Seeing if the joints and muscles are tender
Checking you as you open and shut your jaw.
Checking the head for areas that may be painful.
If necessary, you may need to undergo further checks. This might
include an x-ray, which will show up any jaw abnormalities. You
may also need to undergo an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) of
the jaw area. This will provide an image of the disk and soft tissue,
which can be checked for any abnormalities.