Do any of these symptoms fit your current state?
- Constant clicking and popping in the jaw
- Problems with opening and closing your mouth (a stiff jaw)
- Constant pain in the jaw, face, neck, shoulders, or back
- Often waking up with a sore throat, dry mouth, or headache
- Ringing or pressure in the ears
- Teeth that ache
- Vertigo (dizziness)
If one or more of these sound familiar, you may be suffering from TMJ disorder, which is short for temporomandibular joint disorder. Your jaw moves so fluidly thanks to these small joints, which are located in front of both ears; they work in rhythm with facial muscles, ligaments, and nerves to accommodate all the motions you make on a daily basis. However, when these joints become even slightly misaligned due to stress, injury, or issues such as bruxism (teeth grinding), it can cause debilitating pain, as well as other serious problems. This is called TMJ disorder, and while not all practices offer treatment for the condition, your local dentist in Jacksonville Beach has extensive training in treating these sorts of issues.
When you come in for an appointment, your dentist will first perform a thorough examination on your teeth and jaw in order to determine whether TMJ disorder is the true cause of your discomfort. Once he’s confirmed his diagnosis, there are multiple ways to effectively treat the condition. Neuromuscular dentists will often work to realign your bite and restore the tooth to their optimal position. Once the jaw has been repositioned, pain that occurred due to that imbalance should disappear. Other dentists rely on custom-made oral appliances that can help alleviate teeth grinding, which is one of the main causes of TMJ disorder.
Your local dentist in Jacksonville Beach can offer experienced assistance in effectively treating TMJ disorder. We also serve the areas of Atlantic Beach, Neptune Beach, St. Augustine, Ponte Vedra, and beyond.