Two temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect your upper and lower jaw. When you exert too much pressure on these hinge-like structures, you sometimes end up suffering chronic pain in your facial bones, muscles, and connective tissue. Our team deals with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) by turning to different treatments, such as mouth guards and surgery. TMD doesn’t have to be a painful part of your life once you visit Southern Smiles.
What Is TMD?
Temporomandibular joint disorders, commonly referred to as TMD, are a group of conditions that arise when your two TMJs get weak or damaged. Your temporomandibular joints work together with muscles, ligaments, and other tissue to open and close your mouth, allowing you to speak, eat, and swallow. If you get hit in the face or grind your teeth, you strain these facial joints. Aside from causing varying degrees of pain, TMD has symptoms like:
- Popping and clicking sounds
- Headaches
- Jaw locking
- Difficulty chewing and speaking
How Does TMJ Treatment Work?
Treatment depends on the severity of the disorder and the cause behind your condition. For instance, patients with bruxism usually get night guards to alleviate the pressure they exert on their teeth, stopping their TMD symptoms. If bite guards aren’t effective and the disorder worsens by the day, we might inject fluids into the joint to reduce the pressure. In the most severe cases, our team performs open-joint surgery by making an incision and repairing or replacing the joint.
You can also follow these tips to alleviate TMJ pain:
- Eat soft foods
- Don’t chew gum
- Don’t bite your nails
Do You Need TMJ/TMD Treatment in Jacksonville, FL?
TMJ disorder can make some days unbearable, but you can stop the symptoms by visiting Southern Smiles. Contact us today to book an appointment.
