Causes of TMD
The temporomandibular joint muscles (TMJ) are located on either side of the jaw, just in front of your ears, and act like a sliding hinge to control speech, chewing, and swallowing. Joint dysfunction can cause excessive strain on the TMJ muscles.
While the cause of your TMD may be unknown, your pain can be rooted in a number of factors such as genetics, arthritis, emotional problems, teeth or jaw misalignment, or an injury to your jaw.
The strain your muscles experience with TMD may be a result of grinding or clenching your teeth, also known as bruxism. Bruxism can cause a host of other harmful complications and symptoms
Symptoms of TMD
If you have TMD, you’ll experience pain in your jaw muscles that you’ll most likely feel in the morning and afternoons. Other symptoms include:
- Headaches
- Pain behind your eyes, in the face, shoulder, neck, or back
- Earaches or ringing in the ears
- Clicking or popping of the jaw
- Locking of the jaw
- Limited range of motion for the mouth
- Bruxism– typically while you sleep
- Dizziness
- Teeth sensitivity without an oral health disease
- Numbness or tingling feeling in the fingers
- A change in the way the upper and lower teeth fit together
While many of these symptoms can easily be mistaken for another medical condition, Dr. Robison can diagnose the issue. After discussing your symptoms, he’ll provide an oral examination to examine how your jaw moves and see if your teeth are showing any signs of bruxism. If you’re diagnosed with TMD, Dr. Robison may recommend an oral appliance.
Treating TMD
Can you imagine life without your TMJ pain? Seeking treatment for TMD will provide relief and prevent further damage to your teeth. With the help of an oral device, you can begin to experience the benefits of a pain-free life.
No matter the cause of your TMD, an oral appliance may be the solution you need to ease your pain. A custom-made oral appliance covers the top and bottom of your teeth to evenly distribute the pressure caused by bruxism. This not only helps to relieve pain, but it also decreases the risk of complications associated with wearing down your teeth.
Other remedies for TMD include botox, medications, and in the most severe cases, surgery. While many of these treatment options will help relieve the pain associated with TMD, an oral appliance is a safe and effective way to ease your symptoms without the need for recurring appointments, harmful side effects, or an invasive surgery.
We Want to Ease Your TMJ Pain
Pain from TMJ can be debilitating, but you don’t have to live with it forever. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Robison by calling (970) 259-5600 and we’ll help you find a treatment solution that fits your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions