What Is TMD?

What Is TMD?

What Is TMD?

Everything You Need To Know About TMD

What is TMD exactly? Well, temporomandibular disorders (TMD) can cause pain in the jaw muscles and joints, as well as chronic facial pain. The temporomandibular joint is a complex system of muscles, bones, and joints that work together in harmony. Any problem that prevents this system from working properly can result in TMD. Common causes of TMD include teeth grinding (bruxism), stress, arthritis, and misaligned teeth. Treatment for TMD depends on the underlying cause. In some cases, treatment may involve wearing a mouth guard or splint to protect the teeth from grinding. Physical therapy may also be helpful in relieving muscle tension and pain. If you are experiencing symptoms of TMD, it is important to see a dentist or doctor for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.

How Can You Tell If You Have TMD 

When you visit your dentist in Easton PA, they will ask about your health history in order to get a better understanding of your current condition. They will want to know if you have ever experienced facial or jaw pain, especially when chewing, biting, or opening your mouth. Dr. Moghadam will also ask if you have ever had any cracking, popping, or noise when opening or closing your mouth. In addition, they will perform a physical examination to check for facial or jaw pain and to see if you can open your mouth wide. Based on this information, your provider will be able to make a diagnosis and develop a treatment plan.

Treating TMD 

If you’re one of the millions of Americans suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), you may be looking for relief. While there is no one-size-fits-all solution for TMD, there are things you can do on your own to help ease your symptoms. Your doctor may suggest you try some of these remedies together.

Our friends at High Desert Dental, the best dentist in Grand Junction CO, believe that one option is to practice gentle jaw exercises. These can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around your jaw, which can help to reduce pain and inflammation. You can also try applying heat or ice to the affected area. This can help to reduce pain and swelling. If you’re struggling with headaches or migraines, you may find relief by massaging your temples or using a heating pad on your neck. In addition, it’s important to eat a healthy diet and avoid hard or chewy foods that can worsen your symptoms. By following these simple guidelines, you can start to find relief from your TMD symptoms.

 

Contact us today!

At College Hill Dental Group, we are proud to offer a comprehensive range of dental services. Whether you need a routine cleaning or more complex dental work, our experienced team is here to help. We understand that it can be difficult to find time for dental appointments, which is why we offer convenient scheduling options. Contact the best dentist in Easton PA to learn more about how we can meet your dental needs.

What Is TMD?

TMJ Awareness Month

TMJ Awareness Month - Easton PA Dentist

TMJ Awareness Month 2021

TMJ Awareness Month is in November! Though TMJ is rather prevalent, many people are misdiagnosed and their symptoms are attributed to other issues. Do you get stress headaches that you can’t explain? Do your shoulders, neck, and jaw hurt when you wake up? It’s possible that you’re having trouble speaking or chewing your meal. TMJ problem is frequently indicated by these symptoms.

It is critical to see a TMJ professional in order to successfully treat TMJ problem. Your Easton PA dentist will work with you to ensure that you receive an accurate diagnosis and that the appropriate treatment is provided.

What is TMJ Disorder?

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is an important part of allowing you the freedom of movement in your jaw when you are eating and speaking. This joint connects your jaw to your skull, on either side of your head. Also, it functions very much like a hinge to ensure your smooth movement when you eat or speak.

Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) can occur if the joint is injured, eroded, misaligned, or inflamed. When you visit our Easton, PA dental practice, you will be able to get a thorough examination to evaluate the extent of the inflammation or damage to your TMJ.

How Serious is TMJ Disorder?

It can be easy to think that mild discomfort resulting from TMD is not really all that concerning. However, it is important not to ignore any dysfunction of your TMJ. Today’s mild discomfort may turn into tomorrow’s accelerated pain.

Additionally, some of the symptoms that may start to become a concern include the following.

  • Pain in the jaw that makes it difficult to speak or chew
  • Locking in the jaw, which results in difficulty opening and closing your mouth
  • Radiating ear pain, along with tension headaches and migraines
  • Stiffness or pain in the neck and shoulders

Discussing these concerns with your family dentist in Easton, PA, patients will learn is a good way to get to the bottom of your discomfort.

The Causes of TMD

Dr. Moghadam says there could be several contributing factors to TMJ disorder. Also, you may have just one concern factoring into your TMD discomfort or more than one that could be pinpointed as being an area of concern.

  • An injury to the TMJ 
  • High levels of stress
  • Bite misalignment, or orthodontic treatment to correct misalignment
  • Bruxism
  • Arthritis or other illnesses

It is best to address concerns in their earliest stages, to avoid minor discomfort from becoming a major disruption to your quality of life.

Solutions for TMJ Pain

If you have been living with the symptoms of TMD, and have been misdiagnosed, your dentist 18042 will recommend a solution that meets your needs. Our friend Dr. Beth Herko, a family dentist in New Providence, says it is important to treat the root cause of your TMD and not just treat the symptoms that you are experiencing.

Treatment could include jaw exercises, reductions in stress, and even a mouth guard that repositions your jaw while you are asleep.

When it comes to your dental needs, you can rely on us to find the right solution. Contact College Hill Dental Group to learn more about how TMD treatments can improve your life.

Editor’s note: This post was originally published in November 2020 and has been completely revamped and updated for accuracy and comprehensiveness.