Have you noticed an irritating popping or clicking sensation in your jaw? Not only is this annoying, but the popping in your jaw could also indicate the presence of a possible jaw joint disorder. TMJ disorder, also known as TMD, leads to serious difficulties when you eat and speak. Fortunately, we can often treat the issue with a comfortable oral appliance. How does TMD treatment stop the disorder, and what other signs could indicate the need for treatment?
Popping Or Clicking in Your Jaw
Our temporomandibular joints connect the jaw and skull. We need these joints to eat and speak, so when they undergo strain this causes serious issues opening and closing the mouth. TMJ disorder develops when these joints become strained. People with TMD may notice a popping or clicking in the jaw, headaches, jaw and facial pain, and even aches in the neck or shoulders. The factors behind the disorder vary, but could include tooth loss, injury to the face or jaw, poor bite balance, dental misalignment, or untreated teeth grinding (bruxism). As part of the diagnostic process, we will identify the factors behind your TMJ disorder and assess the severity of the problem.
The Dangers of TMJ Disorder
In addition to trouble opening and closing your mouth, you may be more likely to develop bruxism. Teeth grinding places enormous pressure on your teeth, wearing down tooth enamel and even cracking or chipping teeth. Soon, you could develop tooth decay or even dental infection, further threatening the health and stability of your smile. Treating your jaw joint issues can prevent complications and restore the health of your smile.
Treating Your Jaw Joint Issue
How do we stop TMJ disorder? First, we need to find and correct the cause of the strain. For some, this means orthodontics to correct misalignment, or possibly a custom restoration to improve bite balance. Muscle exercises and even a warm compress can also help ease tension. But the most common solution is an oral appliance. Worn at night, the device will look much like a mouthguard. However, the device is custom-made to fit your smile and reposition the jaw, easing strain and preventing TMJ-related discomfort. If you have any questions about TMJ disorder, or if you jaw tends to pop and click, then please let us know. We will help you find the best treatment option to ease stress on your jaw joints.
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT YOUR CLICKING JAW?
Treating TMD means avoiding serious complications and restoring health and comfort to your smile. For more information on our preventive dental care, schedule a consultation by calling Mai Dentistry in Garland, TX, today at 972-530-0552. For our patients who don’t speak English, our office is fluent in both Spanish and Vietnamese.
