Do you suffer from jaw pain? If so, you could be a victim of TMD, yet thousands of people are often left wondering what TMD is and why it is important to treat. That is why our team here at Hummel Orthodontics in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is happy to talk to you about TMJ and how it can be treated.
Let’s start with the basic question: what is TMD? Temporomandibular joints, or TMJs, are the two joints on the side of your jaw which open and close your mouth. When they hurt, simple tasks of talking, chewing, and even swallowing can be extremely agony. Your TMJs also work with other muscles and ligaments in your jaw bone to keep the motion in your jaw fluid. When these joints are inflamed or strained, pain in your joints or headaches can occur.
Here are many possible causes of TMD, also called TMJ disorders, which include:
-Severe stress and teeth grinding putting pressure on the joints in your jaw
-Bad tooth or jaw alignment
-Injury to your jaw or joint pain
-Dislocation of your jaw
-Arthritis
Do you know what may be causing your TMJ disorder? If not, the most important thing is to get properly diagnosed, so you can begin your treatment. Luckily, there are other treatments you can do on your own to help your TMJ. These include:
– Avoid chewing gum.
– Use heat packs to treat the pain.
– Exercise to strengthen your jaw muscles.
– Avoid nail biting.
– Eat softer foods.
If you would like to learn about TMD, or still have questions about your treatment options, please call 225-924-7367 today to set up an appointment with Dr. Michael Hiller. We are always happy to help your jaw in any way we can.