TMJ-TMD

If you have chronic facial pain, neck pain, and headaches, you might not need to see the chiropractor or the doctor. Instead, a trip to the dentist might be in order. That’s because these issues are often due to Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD). The dentists at Mint Dental are trained in dealing with TMD. We can treat the disorder so you can finally live pain-free.

TMD occurs when you have an issue with your temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These joints connect your lower jawbone to your skull, and they get a workout every day. You can’t speak, chew, swallow, or yawn without using these joints. If you have a problem with them, you’re going to be in a lot of pain. In fact, the pain can become so severe that you might even have trouble moving.

Symptoms of TMD

People with TMD experience a broad range of symptoms. You don’t have to have all of the symptoms to be diagnosed with TMD.

Individuals with this disorder can experience:

• Pain in the jaw area
• Pain, ringing, or stiffness in the ears
• Frequent headaches or neck aches
• Clicking or popping sound when the jaw moves
• Swelling on the sides of the face
• Muscle spasms in the jaw area
• A change in the alignment of the top and bottom teeth

Schedule an appointment with Mint Dental if you have any of these symptoms. One of our dentists will examine you to determine if you have TMD.

How to Prevent TMD

Here are some steps you can take to prevent occurrences of TMD and the pain associated with this disorder.

• First, keep your face relaxed. You should keep your lips together and your teeth apart to limit the stress on your joints.
• You also need to avoid chewing gum very often. It puts excess pressure on your joints, so spit the gum out and relax.
• While you shouldn’t chew gum, you do need to eat your food. Make sure you chew it evenly on both sides of your mouth.
• Grinding your teeth is another problem. If you think you grind your teeth, talk to your dentist about a mouth guard to prevent grinding and reduce your chances of getting TMD.
• Also, be mindful of how you use your phone. If you hold the phone between your head and your shoulder, you’re asking for TMD. Instead, use the speakerphone or use your hand.
• You also shouldn’t sit with your chin in your hand. This position puts a lot of pressure on your joints.
• Finally, practice good posture. Holding your head up, back straight, and shoulders squared will help you avoid TMD.

If you think you have TMD, schedule an appointment with Mint Dental today. Our compassionate dentists will help you live a life that’s free of pain.