You’re feeling stressed with deadlines at work, laundry piling up, the kids’ activities, and your hectic daily commute. Amid all the stress, have you noticed that your jaw hurts? Maybe more than usual? When you feel stressed, you can clench or grind your teeth, a condition called bruxism, but this common reaction to stress can cause you some additional problems to deal with. If you’re experiencing jaw pain, you can get help! TMJ therapy in Lincoln can relieve your symptoms and help prevent damage to your teeth.
What is TMJ disorder?
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which is located just in front of each of your ears. This complex joint can move back and forth, side to side, and up and down, making it one of the most complex joints in the body. As a result, sometimes things can go wrong with it, causing the following symptoms:
- Pain or click in the jaw.
- Difficulty opening or closing your mouth, particularly with chewing.
- Headaches.
- Locking of your jaw in the open position.
- Excessive wear on your teeth.
- Ear pain that isn’t caused by an infection.
If you think you have TMJ disorder, contact your dentist in Lincoln. They may be able to find a solution to help.
What causes TMJ disorder?
Because of the complicated network of muscles, ligaments, and other soft tissues, any number of things can cause a problem with the TMJ, including the following:
- A misaligned bite or crooked teeth.
- Muscle tension.
- Arthritis.
- An injury or blow to the face or mouth.
- Clenching or grinding your teeth.
How is TMJ disorder treated?
In many cases, the unpleasant symptoms of TMJ problems eventually go away on their own, but for those that don’t, you need to find the potential source of your TMJ disorder. Then you can address the root of the problem, not just the symptoms. For example, if you grind your teeth while you sleep, your dentist can provide you with an oral appliance to wear at night that keeps your teeth from touching. Of if you have a crooked bite, you may need to pursue orthodontic treatment to correct the problem. In the case of clenching your teeth from stress, you may need to learn and practice stress-relieving exercises, such as slow, deep breathing and meditation. To alleviate the pain, you can use over-the-counter pain medication and use hot or cold compresses to soothe the area.
You may be able to do something to treat TMJ pain and prevent it from coming back in the future. By seeking professional help with your TMJ disorder, you can make sure that your jaw and teeth remain healthy for many years to come. If you have questions about TMJ disorder, your dentist is a great resource to turn to.
About the Practice
With Williamsburg Dental, patients throughout Lincoln have six convenient locations to choose from. Our nine skilled dentists have the experience and expertise to provide a wide range of dental services with a gentle touch. We aim to please our patients and provide care that they deserve because we genuinely care. To schedule an appointment with us, click here or call (402) 420-2222.