The Nature of TMJ Disorder

TMJ, which stands for Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, manifests itself through a lot of pain. The pain is felt between the lower jawbone and the skull, where the temporomandibular joints are situated. We use these joints in so many ways, such as when we talk, chew, yawn, and swallow. These uses make minimizing the pain of the disorder harder. Several treatments have been devised to address this issue.

It is harder to know what one thing causes your TMJ disorder. We only know that there are more cases of it in women than in men. So far it has been attributed to osteoarthritis, or rheumatoid arthritis in the TMJ. Other things to be at fault are such as an injury to the neck muscles from a head area hit or whiplash, weakening of the joint, grinding and clenching teeth which puts too much force on the TMJ, or too much stress on the joint which makes the facial and jaw muscles too tight. Read more now.

You will notice TMJ disorder through many symptoms. You may feel sensitivity in and around the face, neck, and shoulders, jaw joint, and even the ear. Pain usually accompanies the sensitivity. You will also have a limited range in which you can open your mouth. It shall also be accompanied by headaches, toothaches, difficulty hearing or ringing in the ear, and dizziness in some cases. Whenever you feel any of these symptoms, you are better off getting medical attention. This is how you shall have the situation checked out faster, so that you can resume your normal life sooner.

As they treat TMJ disorders, the specialists will try to alleviate the pain, the spasms, and the diminished movement range of the jaws. They shall kick of things by looking into your dental and medical history. They shall then assess your present dental and medical situation. This will tell them what suitable method to apply. It might even include some regimes you can administer at home. They may recommend a number of treatments such as prescribed medications, low level laser therapy, wearing a guard or splint, addressing the dental issues, as well as relaxation techniques.

Of late, the TMJ specialists have found new ways of dealing with this disorder. These method do not need any invasive forms of intervention. They shall also eliminate the pain that comes with TMJ disorder. It is best to consult with your chosen TMJ specialist to see if they have such alternatives in store for you.

TMJ disorder presents itself in a profound and painful manner. You are forced to do something about it. The best thing to do in such a case is to get in touch with a TMJ specialist as soon as possible. Click here for more details.