By Arthur Kezian
Dealing with your TMJ can be a real pain! If you think that your TMJ - or, your Temporomandibular Joint - might be responsible for your discomfort, there are 5 things you need to know:
1. TMJ pain won't go away on its own
Because your TMJ is the "hinge" that connects your lower jaw to the side of your skull, you're putting it to work every time you eat, talk, yawn, or chew gum. If you don't find a skilled TMJ dentist that can solve your problem, your pain and inflammation are only going to get worse. Plus, that popping or clicking sound that your jaw is making is going to become even more pronounced.
2. TMJ pain is often mistaken for an illness
Because it sits right next to your ear, lots of people think that their TMJ discomfort is an ear infection. Or, some people think that their headaches are a result of being sick - rather than a joint problem. If your doctor says you're not sick, it's time to find a TMJ dentist that can tell you if the problem really lies in your jaw.
3. TMJ pain has a number of causes
When you're dealing with TMJ discomfort, you're really dealing with a tiny cartilage disc that has slid out of place. The disc can move around for a number of reasons - like if you grind your teeth, chew too much gum, have a bite that's not aligned properly, or suffer an injury to your jaw. Even extreme stress can lead to TMJ problems.
4. You'll need a dentist to diagnose your specific TMJ problem
A good TMJ dentist will start out by giving you a physical exam - including x-rays and checking your bite alignment. That way, he'll be able to see if your pain is part of a deeper structural problem, or if something else is to blame.
5. There are a number of ways to relieve TMJ pain
Once your dentist knows what's causing your pain, he can help you get rid of it. If your bite is out of alignment, braces can fix it - and eliminate your pain. Or, if you're a big teeth grinder when you sleep, a nighttime mouth guard can immediately make you feel better.
For serious inflammation, your TMJ dentist can give you a corticosteroid shot, but that's typically only done in rare cases. Some serious cases of pain can be relieved with laser therapy. The laser softens the cartilage disc, so that it can easily slide back into place.
Dr. Arthur A. Kezian DDS 443 N. Larchmont Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90004 (323) 467-2777
-N.S.
