TMJ disorders… What is TMJ?
Never heard of TMJ? How about a TMJ disorder? For those of you who may not know what a TMJ disorder is, let’s being by defining what the TMJ is. TMJ refers to temporomandibular joints on either side of the jaw. The joint is formed by the lower jaw bone, mandible and upper jaw bone, temporal, which is part of the skull. Disorders of the TMJ can lead to headaches, neck, ear and jaw pain. This can be extremely painful!
Do you have any of these symptoms listed above? Why do you have this pain? Here can be a few possible reasons for the discomfort and pain you are experiencing from a TMJ disorder:
1. Jaw bone grinding which can come from the wear and tear of the cartilage
2. Regular clenching and grinding can put more pressure on the cartilage. In some instances, this can cause a dislocation of the joint.
3. Arthritis can cause inflammation and swelling of the TMJ, and this can lead to difficulty opening and closing the mouth.
The pain is not limited to these reasons alone, but if you feel you fall into this category, call our office to schedule an appointment. We will be more than happy to help you diagnose any pain or discomfort which may be similar to those listed above.
