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.
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