What is TMJ?
TMJ
No one likes experiencing pain, especially when it’s in or near your face. Unless you walked into something, you might not know why your face hurts so much. Did you ever consider the idea that you may have TMJ? If you haven’t, it might be because you have no idea what TMJ is – that’s why we’re here to help.
What is TMJ?
TMJ is a type of t emporomandibular disorder — try saying that 3 times fast — that causes pain in your jaw joint and the muscles that control your jaw’s movement. These joints and muscles affect your ability to speak, chew, and yawn, which is why suffering from TMJ/TMD is so painful and inconvenient.
What Causes TMJ?
Many factors can affect your TM joint. Some people are genetically prone to TMJ, but it can also be caused by:
- Dislocating the soft tissue or disk between your ball and socket joint.
- Grinding your teeth.
- Stress, if you often clench your jaw or face muscles.
- Arthritis in the TM joint.
- Injuring your jaw.
What are the Symptoms of TMJ?
The sooner you diagnose TMJ, the sooner you can treat it. Call your dentist if you experience any of the following symptoms.
- Pain or tenderness in your jaw.
- Aching pain in or around your ear.
- Difficulty chewing or pain while chewing.
- Lockjaw, making it hard to open and close your mouth.
- Clicking or popping of your jaw joint.
- Inability to easily open your mouth fully.
- Toothaches, headaches, or neck aches.
If you think you’re suffering from TMJ, call Ronald Murphy Dentistry . We can diagnose you as having a TM disorder or other jaw problem, so you can be pain-free as soon as possible. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us at 630-879-7642.