Do You Have TMJ?

Do you have an aching pain in your jaw that hurts when you chew and is giving you headaches?  You may have TMJ.

TMJ, or the Temporomandibular Joint, acts as a hinge that connects your jaw bone (mandibular) to your skull.  TMJ disorder causes a pain in the joint and the surrounding muscles due to a slippage or erosion of the joint disk.  This slippage or erosion is usually due to arthritis, a hard blow to the jaw, stress, or continued clenching of the jaw.  It most commonly occurs in women between 20 and 40 years old but can happen at any age regardless of gender.  TMJ can have a wide variety of symptoms including:

• Pain or tenderness of your jaw
• Aching pain in and around your ear
• Difficulty or discomfort chewing
• Aching facial pain
• Locking of the joint that may cause a clicking sound

When Should I See My Doctor?

Usually TMJ can subside with home treatment such as massaging the joint area, unclenching your jaw, applying heat and cold packs, and taking pain medication.  However, if the pain continues and you are having trouble eating or opening your jaw you should call your dentist right away.  You may need to be fitted for a jaw splint or bite guard to help ease the inflammation and rubbing.

If you think you may have TMJ and the pain is not subsiding, call Reed Orthodontics for a consult today.

Why Should You Wear a Mouthguard?

Braces can be a great way to fix your smile, but some precautions must be taken to make sure your smile stays that way. Mouthguards are crucial to your health and safety. They not only protect your teeth but they prevent concussions and other head injuries. 

Originally thought to be just a small head trauma, information about the effects of the concussions have come to light over the past few years. Concussions can lead to memory loss, depression, and headaches. Helmets help, but mouthguards make a true difference, especially for those sports without helmets.

However, just wearing a mouthguard will not fully protect you. The mouthguard must be properly fitted and molded to your mouth, just like braces! Otherwise, they might not be as effective.  Today, many dentists and orthodontists have begun to make custom mouthguards for young athletes. One Ohio dental assistant stated:

The No. 1 cause of concussions is not wearing a mouth guard. Athletes who don’t wear mouth guards, particularly hockey, football or any high-impact sport, when the player gets hit, the lower jaw bangs into the upper jaw and that consequently is what causes a concussion.  Custom, lab-processed mouth guards will prevent it nine times out of 10.

Be sure to ask your dentist or orthodontist to be fitted for a mouthguard, especially if you have braces. 

To schedule an appointment with Tina Reed Orthodontics, call us today at (412) 421-8565!