TMJ Greensboro, NC Did you know that TMJ is not a dental condition, but instead, it is a joint that is located in your mouth? Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is a very important joint, because it controls your jaw movement. When it gets inflamed, you can really suffer. For more information about your jaw joint, we can help you at Phillips Prosthodontics. Our dental care team will make sure your jaw joint is healthy. Your TMJYour jaw joint controls the movement of your jaw - not just the open and close motion of your jaw, but also the back and forth movement of your jaw. Without your TMJ, you would not be able to chew, speak properly, or smile. Most of the time, your jaw probably operates without you even thinking about it. However, there are times when your jaw joint begins to act up. There are several reasons this happens. If you suffer from sleep apnea, you may sleep with your mouth open wide, which can aggravate your TMJ. Also, if you clench or grind your teeth (which is called bruxism), you can also aggravate your TMJ. How Does TMD Relate to TMJ?Your jaw may ache from time to time, especially if you clench or grind your teeth. However, if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms you may be experiencing a serious inflammation of your TMJ, which is called temporomandibular joint disorder, or TMD. Symptoms of TMD include:
What Can Be Done About TMJ Problems?If you are having issues with your jaw joint, there are things you can do to help out your TMJ. First, if you clench or grind your teeth, you may need to wear a night guard or a mouth guard. Both night guards and mouth guards protect your teeth from clenching or grinding against each other, which can irritate your jaw joint. There are two types of mouthguards. If you clench your teeth, but you are not grinding your teeth, and you don’t suffer from migraines, you might be able to wear a soft mouth guard. If you are prone to migraines, you may want to use a hard mouth guard, especially if you grind your teeth as well. A dentist can outfit you with mouthguards specifically formulated to fit your mouth perfectly. Other ways to help your jaw joint can include taking anti-inflammatory medication, applying a cold pack to your jaw, resting your jaw, and doing physical therapy. The best way to avoid issues with your TMJ is to take care of any bruxism or sleep apnea issues before they become a problem for your jaw. Do you have issues with your TMJ? Are you worried about bruxism or sleep apnea? If you have questions about your jaw joint, we can help assess your situation at Phillips Prosthodontics. Contact us by phone at Phillips Prosthodontics to schedule an appointment. |
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