If you are experiencing pain on either side of your jaw, especially near the ears, you are supposed to seek immediate medical help because you might be having a temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Urgent care is needed because if TMJ disorder is left untreated, eating becomes a problem since you experience pain while chewing food. Therefore, if you are experiencing pain in the above region and seek diagnosis and treatment to correct your TMD, TMJ Dundalk specialists provide a solution to your problem. The specialists are qualified and experienced in using various treatment options to help you find relief from your TMD pain. Below is all you need to know concerning TMJ disorders.
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What is a TMJ disorder?
Normally, the temporomandibular joint is a joint found where your skull bones and the jawbone meet. They are usually near the ears. The function of the joint is to enable you to speak, chew and open your mouth when yawning. In most cases, pain on both or one side of these joints indicates a TMJ disorder. Other than pain, additional symptoms of a TMD include headache, inability to chew, jaw locking, tenderness of the jaw, or earaches. Other signs of a TMJ disorder include a clicking sound when opening your mouth or chewing.
What are the causes of TMD?
Generally, the temporomandibular joint is classified as one of the most complex joints in the body because it incorporates sliding motions and a hinge action to enable you to chew or speak. The bones that form the temporomandibular joint are covered by cartilage on their ends, and a shock-absorbing disc separates them, reducing friction and promoting smooth movement. The heavy use and complicated nature of TMJ predispose it to various types of damage, including worn down or misaligned discs, overuse because of grinding of teeth or clenching of your jaw cartilage damage, or acute trauma.
Mainly, there are no specific causes of TMD. As a result, people having this disorder usually find relief from home remedies like self-massage, which helps reduce muscle tension. But if the symptoms of your TMD persist after utilizing various home remedies, you should seek medical help.
How to diagnose and treat a TMJ disorder?
Your dentist or primary physician may help in diagnosing your TMJ disorder. To better understand your TMD, your health care provider usually performs a comprehensive physical examination and reviews your medical history. In other cases, an MRI or x-ray may be required to determine the specific problem of your TMJ. Treatment options are given depending on the severity of your TMD and may include Botox injections, oral medications, steroid injections, or corrective dental treatment. Other serious TMJ disorders that do not respond to the above therapies or home remedies may require surgery.
Finding relief from your TMJ disorder symptoms is essential because you might not talk or eat effectively if left untreated. Therefore, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms mentioned above of a TMJ disorder and seek relief, you can get started by booking your appointment at CHOICE Pain & Rehabilitation Center today.
