Do you notice your jaw pops or clicks? Is chewing painful or uncomfortable? Does your jaw ache? Do you suffer from frequent headaches or migraines? If any of these symptoms are occurring, you could be experiencing TMD.
What Causes TMD?
Tight muscles in your mouth and jaw can cause headaches and general facial pain. These problems with your jaw can also affect chewing and biting. If your muscles are tight, your joints are inflamed, or if you grind or clench your teeth, you may suffer from TMD. Whiplash, arthritis, or a misaligned bite can also cause TMD.
How Is TMD Treated?
Oral Appliances
One of the first treatments we may recommend is a custom mouth guard or oral appliance. This appliance is designed specifically for your bite and is worn while you sleep. It helps keep your airway open and unobstructed by positioning the jaw and tongue slightly forward.
Because airway positioning plays a major role in nighttime jaw tension, some patients may also benefit from our Sleep Apnea Treatment options if breathing disruptions are contributing to their symptoms. During your evaluation, we determine whether your condition is purely TMJ-related or influenced by airway concerns
Therapy
Another group of methods we use will adjust your jaw and the way it functions, thus limiting the amount of stress that’s put on it. We might suggest a number of different therapies that are relatively simple and non-invasive. We teach our patients stretching exercises, use heat or cold packs, or we perform gentle jaw massage. None of these therapies will be used until a thorough examination is completed and we determine the best method to treat your particular case of TMD.
