TMJ, or temporomandibular joint disorder, is a painful condition that can negatively impact the quality of life for many patients. People with TMJ not only suffer discomfort during the day, but also are often unable to sleep soundly because of the condition. At Taylor Dental Associates, we understand how important quality sleep is, which is why we offer TMJ treatment to our patients from throughout the Taylor, TX, area.
What You Should Know about TMJ Treatment
The pain caused by TMJ will only get worse if left untreated. TMJ can make it hard to chew your food, and can have a devastating impact on the quality of sleep. That lack of sleep can bring with it a host of other problems, such as fatigue during the day and difficulty concentrating on work or school tasks. If you don’t have TMJ treated early on, you may eventually experience severe problems with your teeth and/or jaw that may require surgery. Fortunately, there are non-surgical treatments for this condition that can be quite effective if done in the early stages of the condition.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TMJ
The only way to know for sure whether or not you are suffering from TMJ is to be diagnosed by your dentist or health care professional. However, there are some symptoms that may indicate the presence of TMJ, including the following:
- Pain or stiffness in the jaw
- Earaches that often spread across the facial area
- Soreness or tenderness in front of either ear
- Grinding or popping noises that occur when opening the mouth
- Sensitive teeth
- Neck pain
- Headaches on the sides of the head
- Teeth grinding while sleeping
- Jaw locking or limited range of jaw motion
