Get Relief from TMJ Headaches with Effective Treatment

Do you wake up with headaches and aching jaws? Or perhaps you have noticed popping or clicking sounds when you open your jaws? Has your bed partner told you that you grind your teeth when sleeping? These are some common problems associated with temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder. If you are experiencing these nagging signs, please book an appointment with Smyrna Dental & Headache Center for treatment. We offer effective, non-surgical remedies for TMJ disorder.

What exactly is TMJ disorder?

You experience TMJ disorder, also known as TMD when the joint connecting the skull and the lower jaw is not properly seated. Due to the misalignment, when you move your jaws, it irritates the joints, muscles, nerves, and other structures. When your TMJ is optimally aligned, moving the jaw shouldn’t result in any pain. However, when this joint is misaligned, yawning, chewing, speaking, and laughing may result in pain.

Even when sleeping, the muscles are often still overworked, and the teeth in the upper and lower arch may grind over each other, causing dental damage. When dental damage occurs, your teeth can no longer hold the jaws properly when in the rest position. As the integrity of your teeth becomes compromised, so does your bite or occlusion.

Symptoms of TMJ disorder

When your TMJ is properly aligned, you barely notice that you have this joint because you open and close your jaws without discomfort. However, when the TMJ is malfunctioning, you might experience the below symptoms:

• Pain around the face
• Earaches or ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
• Headaches
• Jaw pain
• Popping or clicking sounds when opening and closing your jaws
• Dental damage due to teeth grinding or clenching
• Tenderness in the jaw

When you experience the above signs, don’t try to manage the pain using pain medications — the problem will likely only get worse and harder to treat. Instead, book an appointment with a TMD specialist in Smyrna, Georgia, for relief.

Causes of TMJ disorder

The TMJ is a complex joint that combines a hinge action with sliding movements to perform its job. Where the bones meet, there is cartilage separated by a shock-absorbing disc to keep the movements smooth. Unfortunately, TMJ disorder sets in when the disc moves out of alignment, the cartilage wears out due to arthritis, or the joint suffers damage due to injury. However, in most cases, the cause of TMJ disorder is unknown.

How we treat TMJ pain and headaches

After Dr. David Lamothe diagnoses you with TMJ disorder, the first step in treatment is to find your natural, physiological bite position. Moreover, we recommend a custom-made orthotic to be worn at home while sleeping. This dental device puts your jaws in an optimal position, reducing pressure on the TMJ and jaw muscles.

Other therapies to reduce TMJ pain include cold laser electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, and muscle manipulation. We sometimes recommend orthodontic care to resolve malocclusion that may be causing TMJ pain.

TMJ headaches and jaw pain relief in Smyrna, Georgia

Ready to say goodbye to TMJ-related pain? Please dial (678) 374-3764 to book an appointment with Smyrna Dental & Headache Center for effective TMJ disorder treatment.