How TMJ Disorder Impacts Your Oral and Overall Health and What You Can do to Treat It

TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is an oral condition that affects about 20% of the population. TMJ joints, play an integral part in your oral health and overall well-being by supporting and connecting your lower jaw to the rest of your skull, allowing you to chew food properly and help keep your mouth healthy and free of infection.

However, not many are aware that TMJ disorder can severely impact your oral health and overall health if left untreated over time. Luckily, there are many options to help you treat TMJ that don't involve surgery! Keep reading to learn more about the impact of TMJ and some treatment options.

What is TMJ?

TMJ, or Temporomandibular Joint Disorder, is a condition where the mandible (or lower jaw) moves out of alignment with the skull. This can cause pain in one or both jaws, difficulty chewing food, earaches, headaches and neck pain. In some cases, teeth grinding may occur as well as muscle spasms in the face and mouth area. In many cases, these symptoms are due to chronic stress on your temporomandibular joints from poor posture, malocclusion of teeth, bruxism (teeth grinding), clenching or grinding teeth during sleep etc.

How TMJ Impacts Your Oral Health?

The temporomandibular joint makes it possible for you to eat and speak by opening and closing. When this joint gets out of alignment or misaligned, it can cause a myriad of problems, including headaches, neck pain, tooth grinding and soreness in the jaw muscles. Not only does TMJ impact oral health, but it also impacts general health because it affects everything from posture to eating habits.

How TMJ affects your overall health

You may not know it, but the jaw plays a key role in many aspects of your health. That's because it is the only joint that connects your head and neck with the rest of your body. When this joint is misaligned or too tight, it can cause other issues, like headaches, earaches, neck pain, back pain or trouble swallowing.

TMJ Treatment Options

Tmj treatment Albuquerque options include taking over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen and acetaminophen, wearing a mouth guard while sleeping or during sports activities, or undergoing surgery on the jaw joint itself.

As you see, there are many treatment options for TMJ, from medication to surgery.   The first thing that you should do if you think you might have TMJ is to see a tmj specialist in Albuquerque, who will determine the next steps in your care.

The tmj dentist in Albuquerque can prescribe medications such as pain relievers or muscle relaxants which may reduce the discomfort caused by the condition, but may not solve it entirely. Surgery is a last resort after all other treatments have failed.

Tips for Preventing TMJ

If you have misalignments in the temporomandibular joint, it can lead to an array of uncomfortable symptoms. The good news is that there are some simple ways you can prevent these issues from arising! For example, be sure not to clench or grind your teeth while sleeping; avoid chewing gum too vigorously or hard foods like apples; don’t talk with food in your mouth; use a straw when drinking soda or tea; drink lots of water to keep saliva flowing, so bacteria don’t settle on your teeth.

For more information on TMJ treatment options, please speak to your tmj specialist in Albuquerque or call us today. We can help you find the right treatment plan.

An Ultimate Guide to TMJ Disorder: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

A study show that TMJ affects up to 8% of the American population, but it is difficult to pinpoint its exact prevalence rate because many people go undiagnosed or never seek treatment. The condition can range from mild to severe, so knowing what symptoms to look out for and how to treat it can help you control the pain and keep it from worsening. Here's your guide on TMJ disorder and how to get better.

What is TMJ?

TMJ or Temporomandibular Joint disorder is a chronic condition where the bones in your jaw that meet during chewing move out of place. The disorder can cause severe pain in your neck, face, mouth and even ear. The temporomandibular joint disorder affects the muscles that control your jaw and the jaw joints. If you experience chronic pain in your jaw, your teeth may be grinding or clenching too tightly, or you may feel like the motion of your jaw is restricted; it could be caused by TMJ disorder. Please visit the tmj specialist Albuquerque as early as possible.

What Are The Causes Of TMJ Disorder?

TMJ disorder is the result of jaw misalignment. Misalignments can happen due to numerous reasons such as genetics, teeth grinding or nighttime teeth clenching during sleep. Some people may not notice any signs, while others may experience constant jaw pain or headaches.

What Are The Signs Of TMJ?

TMJ disorder symptoms can vary from person to person depending on which joints are misaligned, and how severe the misalignment is. It's possible for there to be no noticeable symptoms, while others may have occasional headaches or discomfort in their jaw joint.

Often, the first symptom that people experience with TMJ disorder is a pain in their temporomandibular joint. Pain from the joint can cause symptoms depending on which muscle in the mouth is affected by the disorder. The condition often causes a popping sound when chewing food or opening one's mouth too wide. It may also be difficult for someone to open their mouth wider than two fingers without discomfort.

In general, common symptoms are pain and aching in the jaw or muscles of the head (due to spasms), neck, or shoulders; headaches that move from one side of the head to another; loss of range of motion in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) on one or both sides; difficulty chewing or speaking; limited mouth opening; clicking when moving your jaw; unexplained toothaches; unexplained dental cavities.

If you experience any of these signs, please visit the tmj specialist Albuquerque right away.

How is it Diagnosed?

The TMJ specialist will run imaging tests on your temporomandibular joint, like x-rays or MRI scans. They may also put pressure on your jaw while moving it to determine if there are any clicking or popping sounds when they manipulate it. You must provide as much information about your symptoms as possible because diagnosing TMD is a process of elimination.

What Are The Treatment Options?

One of the most common tmj treatment Albuquerque is over-the-counter pain relievers or no steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). This is only effective in the short term. The use of either option can lead to gastrointestinal ulcers and may increase bleeding during surgical procedures. Other treatments that can help include prescription medication, physical therapy, or psychiatric care.

If symptoms persist after a few weeks, consult your TMJ dentist about surgery. For example, the mandibular joint disc can be removed to relieve pressure on the nerve endings. If a person experiences difficulty chewing or swallowing food due to muscle spasms in their jaw, their doctor might recommend Botox injections into their masseter muscle which will paralyze it and relaxes these muscles. Some people choose an orthodontic appliance as a treatment because it addresses problems with teeth alignment as well as TMJ dysfunction.

Visit the Tmj Dentist Albuquerque

You must contact your dentist if you believe you are suffering from any TMJ disorder. Dentists specialize in treating these types of issues and can pinpoint the causes easily, often providing the right treatment to help manage your symptoms.

Get Relief From TMJ Pain With These Simple Tips

TMJ syndrome, or temporomandibular joint syndrome, refers to an uncomfortable condition involving pain in the joint between your jaw and skull as well as misalignment of the jaw itself. If you’re suffering from TMJ symptoms, there are several strategies that can help you ease the pain and live more comfortably with your condition. This blog post from a TMJ specialist in Albuquerque lists some of the most effective ones you can try for yourself.

Minimize Wide Jaw Movements:

One way to help reduce pain from TMJ is to avoid making wide jaw movements. This means things like yawning and chewing gum should be done in moderation. If you must yawn, do so with your mouth closed as much as possible. When chewing gum, try to use a soft brand that doesn't require a lot of jaw movement.

You can also try chewing on the insides of your cheeks instead of using your molars. If you're suffering from more chronic TMJ, it's likely that these techniques won't work as well. In this case, talk to a TMJ specialist in Albuquerque about potential treatments like physical therapy or medications that may help relieve some discomfort.

Use Hot or Cold Compress:

Hot or cold compress can be used to help with the pain and swelling of TMJ. For best results, alternate between hot and cold compress every few minutes. Be sure to not overdo it, as too much heat or cold can actually aggravate the symptoms. If you're using a heating pad, make sure to set it on a low setting. For cold packs, fill them up with water and put them in the freezer overnight before use. You can also just place them in the freezer if they are only being used for a short period of time.

Prevent Bad Habits:

According to a TMJ dentist in Albuquerque, one of the best things you can do to relieve or prevent TMJ pain is to break any bad habits that might be causing it. That means no more clenching your teeth or grinding them at night, and definitely no more using your teeth as tools! Try to relax your jaw when you chew, and don't open too wide. Sleep on a firm pillow with your head elevated above the level of your heart so that excess fluids are not trapped in the joint space all night long.

Practice Jaw Exercises:

Regularly practicing simple jaw exercises can help to improve the function of the joint and muscles, and reduce pain. Performing stretch, strengthening, and relaxation muscles will help.

TMJ or temporomandibular joint disorder can affect your daily life and make it difficult to enjoy many activities you once loved, such as eating, talking, or even smiling. While you can use the above recommended methods to reduce pain, if you want a speedy and complete recovery, talk with your doctor about TMJ treatment in Albuquerque and how it can help you out.

The Risks of Untreated TMJ Disorder

Did you know that, in the United States alone, 5 million people suffer from TMJ disorder? TMJ is a common condition that should be treated earlier to avoid certain complications. However, many people don't realize that there are significant health risks associated with untreated TMJ disorder. In fact, some studies have found that untreated TMJ disorder can be linked to headaches, migraines, high blood pressure and heart disease! In this blog, our TMJ specialist Albuquerque has listed the risks associated with untreated TMJ disorder.

Jaw Pain

When you have untreated TMJ disorder, you may experience jaw pain, making it difficult to eat, speak, and even sleep. The pain may be constant or come and go, and it can be mild or severe. In some cases, the pain is so severe that it can cause headaches and earaches. If you don't treat it, the joint at the back of your jaw (temporomandibular joint) will continue to weaken and cause pain.

Insomnia

One of the most common symptoms of TMJ disorder is jaw pain, which can be so severe that it makes it difficult to sleep. Untreated TMJ disorder can lead to chronic insomnia, which can seriously impact your health, and insomnia can cause fatigue, irritability, and difficulty concentrating.

Compromised Oral Health

One of the major risks of untreated TMJ disorder is the deterioration of oral health. This is because the disorder can cause teeth grinding, resulting in tooth damage and decay. TMJ disorder can also cause jaw pain and stiffness, making it difficult to eat and speak properly. As a result, your oral health is compromised, causing more damage. A TMJ specialist in Albuquerque can suggest you the right treatment plan to manage your symptoms of TMJ.

Headaches

Untreated TMJ disorder can result in chronic headaches. The pain can be mild to severe, and it can last for days or even weeks at a time. In some cases, the pain is so severe that it leads to migraines. If you suffer from chronic headaches, you must see a TMJ dentist in Albuquerque and get them treated.

Decreased Quality of Life

One of the most significant risks of untreated TMJ disorder is a decreased overall quality of life. This is because the pain and discomfort associated with the condition can make it difficult to perform everyday activities, enjoy hobbies, or even get a good night's sleep.

As you see, untreated TMJ can wreak havoc on your oral and overall health. If you suspect you have TMJ disorder, consult our TMJ specialist, and we can help you determine the best course of TMJ treatment Albuquerque plan. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for a consultation.