Temporomandibular joint dysfunction, commonly known as TMJ syndrome, can be incredibly painful.
If you’ve ever experienced jaw pain you’ll know how frustrating it is. It can have a big impact on your life. TMJ is one of the common causes of jaw pain. It can cause a lot of unnecessary stress, because it affects you every time you eat and talk.
Many people with TMJ experience constant jaw pain, have difficulty chewing and locking their jaw joint. If left untreated it can get worse and cause even more problems for you. It can become more difficult to treat and can often cause chronic headaches.
The temporomandibular joint is the jaw joint which allows the movements needed for eating, talking, swallowing and yawning. It's one of the most frequently used joints in the body.
TMJ can often be caused by dental issues including poor jaw or tooth alignment, injury or dislocation, arthritis and stress-related problems such as teeth clenching. TMJ can sometimes be treated with pain relief medication, relaxation techniques or by performing jaw exercises.
Try keeping track of the changes you notice after treatment. You could track these in a journal. You will likely be amazed at how much of a difference there is after a few weeks or months.
The price of treating TMJ will vary depending on your individual situation. There are a few ways to treat TMJ and some will be more expensive than others. If you are needing dental treatment such as a plate or braces your dentist or orthodontist will be able to give you an estimate of the cost of treatment at the consultation appointment.
In most cases TMJ pain won’t disappear without treatment. When you experience constant jaw pain or are suffering from TMJ, we recommend visiting a dentist as soon as possible. The dentist will suggest the best treatment option for you, which could even mean referring you to an orthodontist or specialist to help with your treatment.
If left untreated TMJ can get worse and become severe, which also makes it more difficult to treat. If you have any problems with TMJ or jaw pain you should book an appointment with a dentist. You can do this by booking online.
There are a few ways that TMJ can be treated, which will depend on how severe the case is. In some cases treatment may be changing to a soft food diet, taking medication or performing jaw exercises and relaxation techniques. Some people also find moist heat or ice can help with the pain. In many cases dental or orthodontic treatment will be needed to treat TMJ. This could include a dental appliance, such as a guard or a plate, or orthodontic treatment, such as braces.