People who suffer from temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder might experience pain in their head, neck, or shoulders. Some sufferers experience other symptoms, such as chronic dizziness, earaches, and ringing in their ears.
No one should have to suffer from these uncomfortable and often painful symptoms. Getting TMJ treatment in Fairfax, VA, can greatly improve your quality of life.
What is the TMJ?
The TMJ is the “hinge” that allows us to open and close our mouth and connects the lower jaw to the skull. When the joint becomes inflamed, this can cause pain. It can also limit mobility when sufferers are speaking, chewing, or yawning.
A bad bite—also called malocclusion—can be responsible for TMJ because your teeth do not meet evenly when you bite down. If you grind your teeth, this can also cause TMJ. Getting treated for TMJ will not only end your pain but it can save your teeth from further uneven wear.
Treatment for TMJ might involve having your bite adjusted so there is no more unnatural stress being put on your jaw. Even a small adjustment can make a big difference.
Your dentist might recommend a mouth guard that you wear while sleeping if you are a teeth grinder.