TMJ Disorders and What You Need to Know for a Quick and Professional Diagnosis from Your Dentist

If you suffer from constant discomfort at your jaw joint, have started getting bad earaches, or even wake up with morning headaches, you should not just assume it is nothing. You could be suffering from Temporomandibular Joint Disorder. Also called TMJ disorder or simply TMJ, these disorders often result in discomfort at or around the jaw and are diagnosable by your dentist. Patients in the Forked River, New Jersey, area who suffer from TMJ disorder seek treatment from Dr. Louann B. Van Liew, and her skilled team at All About Smiles Dentistry. Dr. Van Liew can talk to you about TMJ disorder symptoms and provide personalised treatment plans geared toward discomfort management and recovery.

The Temporomandibular Joint

Your temporomandibular joint operates the movement of your jaw. The hinge allows your jaw to have a full range of motion from up and down to left and right. The muscles and joints that support your temporomandibular joint can sometimes become inflamed, resulting in some significant and painful symptoms. TMJ disorder is an umbrella term used to describe a range of conditions of varying levels of discomfort. To avoid this discomfort, you need to have your condition diagnosed by your dentist as quickly as possible. If you are experiencing discomfort in your jaw or neck, or have chronic headaches that you think may be caused by your temporomandibular joint, do not hesitate to call your local dentist for an appointment. Let’s talk about some of the most common symptoms associated with TMJ disorder.

Temporomandibular Joint Disorder Symptoms

There is no single reason why somebody will develop a TMJ disorder. Whatever the reason may be, when the joint moves out of alignment or the supporting muscles/joints of an individual’s temporomandibular joint become strained, discomfort will be the result. This could result from unintentional habits such as the physical clenching or grinding of teeth (a condition known as bruxism) or a more direct physical impact on the jaw.

Regardless of the cause, it is important that you are aware of the symptoms of TMJ disorders so that you can inform your dentist and they can perform an examination. Here are some of the most common symptoms related to TMJ disorder:

• Discomfort or sensitivity of the jaw
• Earaches which seem more intense than you usually experience
• Chronic headaches or migraines
• Your jaw clicks when you move it
• Discomfort when you eat
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth

If you find that any of these symptoms describe a situation you are currently facing, please do not hesitate to contact your dentist. Dr. Van Liew can determine if you are suffering from a TMJ disorder and provide a treatment plan that will alleviate discomfort and help eliminate the disorder.

When Should You Call Your Dentist?

TMJ disorder presents itself in many different ways, most of which are treatable by your dentist. If you are experiencing any of the following, please contact them for an appointment:

• You are having difficulty opening or closing your mouth
• You notice a sudden increase in how much discomfort you are feeling in your jaw
• When moving either side to side or up and down, your jaw is suddenly tender or sensitive
• You feel acute discomfort near the front of your ears
• Your jaw muscles feel tender or sore

Seeing your dentist as soon as possible will allow for a speedy diagnosis and treatment plan. When you see your dentist for possible TMJ disorder, an examination will be performed, during which your jaw movement will be assessed. You will be asked about discomfort levels associated with certain movements, and you may be asked to undergo an X-ray of the impacted area.

If you believe you may be suffering from TMJ disorder, please contact your dentist. If you are in the Forked River, New Jersey, area and are looking for a dentist who can help you with your TMJ disorder, please call All About Smiles Dentistry to schedule an appointment.

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