Protecting Your Jaw And Overall Wellness

Symptoms including chronic headaches or migraines, earaches, and jaw pain may seem unrelated to dentistry but actually can indicate problems with your overall oral health The health and function of your jaw affect not only your teeth and mouth but also can impact the rest of your body. That’s why our team at State Street Smiles ensures that in addition to your teeth, your jaw health is in optimal condition as well. 

Trauma, stress, and underlying conditions can cause issues with your jaw which can make normal tasks such as eating and speaking painful. If you experience any discomfort in your jaw, Dr. Jackson can check for signs of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) and create a personalized treatment plan to address your symptoms.

What is TMD?

TMJ disorder occurs when excess pressure is put onto your temporomandibular joints (TMJ), which help to make up your jaw muscles. These joints are present on both sides of your face and connect your skull to your lower jaw. They also allow you to open and close your mouth as well as move from side to side. TMJ disorder (TMD) can manifest when issues arise with these joints or even the surrounding muscles, bones, discs, and cartilage. 

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Causes of TMD

Because of the complexity of this disorder and the variety of potential causes, our experts at State Street Smiles understand the importance of evaluating your case and creating a treatment plan personalized to your unique situation. Some causes of TMD may include:

  • Misalignment of your temporomandibular joints
  • Damaged jaw muscles of tissue due to arthritis 
  • Trauma sustained due to a sports injury or accident
  • Malocclusion (ill-bite) due to orthodontic issues 
  • Jaw tension due to clenching or nighttime teeth grinding (bruxism) 

These issues can put more pressure on your TMJ and cause pain as well as a variety of other symptoms.

Man in Tooth Pain

Symptoms of TMJ Disorder

TMD causes pain and discomfort that can be temporary or chronic depending on the severity of your case. While many patients consider this pain to be normal, TMJ issues can affect either side of your face.

Other symptoms of TMD to consider include:

  • Tenderness, soreness, or pain in your jaw, face, shoulders, neck, and ears whenever you open your mouth wide, chew, or speak
  • Difficulty speaking, chewing, or opening your mouth
  • Swelling of lymph nodes
  • Swelling in the side of your face
  • Popping, grating, or clicking sounds beneath your ear when moving your mouth
  • Lockjaw (trismus) wherein your jaw becomes frozen in an open or closed position.
  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears)
  • Headaches or chronic migraines
  • Dizziness
  • Toothaches

If you’re experiencing any of these issues, we recommend that you make an appointment with Dr. Jackson by calling (201) 389-2183 so that we can determine if TMJ therapy can help relieve your symptoms.

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Dangers of Untreated TMD

While the most common symptom of TMD is pain in the jaw, the longer you go without treatment, the more intense the discomfort will become. For some patients, chronic pain may not seem serious, but if you leave your TMD untreated, you also run the risk of:

  • Dislocation, lockjaw, and other serious injuries to the jaw
  • Increased risk of connective tissue diseases such as arthritis 
  • Irreversible damage to teeth due to teeth grinding
  • Gum recession 
  • Hearing loss due to prolonged tinnitus

A  majority of  TMD cases can be corrected non-surgically. Dr. Jackson will always explore non-invasive treatment options before considering surgery, which can permanently solve your TMJ issues.

Happy Girl

TMJ Therapy Treatment

TMJ issues can be reversed with proper treatment that’s custom-designed depending on the cause of your symptoms. During your consultation, Dr. Jackson will provide a comprehensive examination to create a treatment plan designed for your unique situation. 

If your TMJ symptoms are a result of orthodontic issues, Dr. Jackson may recommend treatments or procedures that correct these issues as part of your individualized plan.

If stress and tension are core factors of your symptoms, we may also recommend relaxation and stress management techniques as part of your plan. 

For patients who grind in their sleep, a customized nighttime oral appliance, otherwise known as a nightguard, may be prescribed.

They are comfortable appliances you wear during sleep and can protect you from the negative effects of teeth grinding and jaw tension that may be causing your symptoms. 

No two cases of TMD are the same. When you visit State Street Smiles, you can trust that your TMJ therapy treatment plan is tailored to your specific situation and designed to help you reclaim your pain-free life.