“Why does my jaw click or pop?” Many people ask this question, unaware that over ten million others in the United States also suffer from TMJ disorder or TMD. A disorder related to the jaw joints, this can lead to serious discomfort and making fully opening and closing the mouth difficult. Despite the seriousness of this issue, there are non-surgical solutions available.
Frequently Asked Questions About TMJ Disorder
Question: What causes TMD?
Answer: TMJ-related problems occur when the jaw joints become strained or misalignment. Common causes include trauma to the face or jaw, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, malocclusion, bad posture/arthritis, and even anxiety.
Question: How do I know if I have this disorder?
Answer: Stress in the jaw joints can lead to a number of uncomfortable symptoms in the face, neck, and jaw area. Patients may report a popping or clicking sensation in the jaw, earaches, headaches, neck and shoulder pain, and even toothaches/tooth sensitivity if they also grind their teeth. You shouldn’t ignore the symptoms; remember that treatment is comfortable and minimally invasive.
Question: What can I do to ease my symptoms?
Answer: From home, you can place a warm compress or washcloth to the side of your face to ease tension. You can also perform simple muscle exercises daily and avoid hard or chewy foods, as the repetitive jaw motion can exacerbate symptoms. We also suggest reducing stress in your day-to-day life.
Question: What treatment options are available?
Answer: To treat the issue, we may suggest an oral splint. The device will look similar to a mouth guard and will be worn at night. The device helps reposition the jaw to ease stress on the joints. Patients can soon experience a reduction in symptoms. If you have any questions about our treatment options, or would like a diagnosis for possible TMD, then contact our office today.
ABOUT YOUR ASTORIA DENTIST
Our Astoria, NY dentist office accepts most major insurance plans. To find out if we accept yours, or to schedule an appointment with Dr. Jeffrey Leibowitz, contact us at (718) 728-8328. We welcome patients living in and around Queens, Astoria, NYC, upstate New York, and New Jersey.
