
Nov
Do you hear a clicking sound in your ears when you yawn? Do you have pain in your ears when chewing? Does your jaw lock or freeze? If you’ve answered “yes” to these questions, this may indicate TMJ dysfunction. Riverside Dental Clinic in Drumheller, Alberta, is happy to provide advice on treating TMJ pain. If at-home rest and therapies do not work, professional TMJ treatment may be needed to address the underlying cause of the pain.
TMJ stands for “temporomandibular joint” and is located where the upper and lower jaws meet. If this joint is not working properly, this may indicate a TMJ disorder that can be caused by arthritis, bruxism, or stress. Bruxism is caused by stress and involves clenching the jaw muscles or grinding the teeth. This often happens at night as most patients are unaware that they grind their teeth while sleeping.
Signs and symptoms of TMJ disorders may vary from patient to patient, but the most common symptoms include:
Relieving your TMJ discomfort may include at-home therapies or dental interventions. Consider the following tips to treat your TMJ pain:
As with any dental problem, early detection and diagnosis are important. Detecting TMJ disorders means less discomfort for the patient and being able to eat, speak, and yawn normally. Once the underlying cause of TMJ pain is diagnosed, the dentist can determine an appropriate treatment plan. Dental treatments may include an oral appliance or mouthguard, correction of dental issues, or Botox injections.
For more information on treating TMJ pain, contact Dr. Kenneth Poznikoff and his experienced team at Riverside Dental Clinic in Drumheller, AB at (833) 575-1855.