Stiff Jaw - In Your Local Area
Northland Dental
Appointments: (816) 436-2760
Mark Mancin D.D.S.
Northland Dental
7229 North Oak Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64118
More TMJ Dentists in the Kansas City, MO Area Near You
Lavitt, Dan L D.D.S.
1316 Old 63 S # 103
Columbia, MO, 65201-6092
Galvan, David Alan D.D.S.
1016 S Bishop Ave
Rolla, MO, 65401-4416
Doctor - Activate Your Free 1stTMJDentist Directory Listing
seaportdentistry
2 Westwoods Drive
Liberty , MO, 64068
Cyr Jr, Gilbert J D.D.S.
6651 Chippewa St # 323
St Louis, MO, 63109-2532
Temporomandibular Joint Syndrome
A tooth that aches in the morning can result from teeth grinding during sleep. Teeth clenching can usually be treated. Are you troubled by a jaw popping or jaw clicking sensation, or jaw pain when you eat? You may be suffering from a dental problem that has nothing to do with teeth or gums. We call it TMJ disorder.
TMJ is short for temporomandibular joint, which is the hinge attaching your jaw to your skull. Temporomandibular Joint syndrome usually means that there's a misalignment within the network of muscles, bones, and joints that make up this hinge. When your hinge isn't coming together as it should, the jawbone grates on sensitive tissues and other bones. Sometimes the pain can be intense and cause a migraine headache. Sometimes the jaw popping is merely annoying.
Regardless of pain level, you should be concerned. It's important to have a thorough evaluation, before permanent damage is done, especially since TMJ syndrome can often mimic symptoms of other medical problems (sinus infections especially) and escape identification.
Every TMJ case is unique. But your dentist probably has plenty of experience treating this common disorder. His or her response may be minor tooth reshaping, mouth splints, or possibly muscle relaxants. Sometimes a simple massage is effective to control pain. Only in rare cases is there a need for surgery to correct TMJ disorder.
If you feel you're experiencing symptoms of TMJ syndrome, please call your dentist immediately. He or she can provide a thorough evaluation and recommend corrective measures, before the problem escalates.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
Subliminal Stuff: Teeth Grinding and TMJ
Sensitivity to heat and cold. Loosened teeth, fractures, and a debilitating headache. All this can occur while you sleep - from grinding your teeth. Dentistry calls it bruxism.
Talk about shell shock. Dentists see evidence of life in the fast lane everyday. As many as 90 percent of us grind our teeth each night, on the average of five episodes per evening. The bite force is so powerful - over 200 pounds per square inch - and the noise so fearful, you cannot physically duplicate this phenomenon when you're wide awake. While you're sleeping, a lot of damage is being done that could be causing TMJ symptoms.
Bruxing seems to be associated with the REM stage of sleep, that never-never land where dreaming and rapid eye movement occur. There is some evidence that a bite out of alignment contributes to bruxing, but most agree stress is the problem. Or, even more alarming, the anticipation of stress.
Most people learn about a bruxing habit from the spouse who has to put up with it every night. More clues; waking up in the morning with jaw pain, jaw popping, jaw clicking, migraine or muscle fatigue and loose teeth.
Physical therapy, muscle relaxants and, sometimes, a custom dental appliance can help. But learning how to handle the stress in your life could salvage more than your teeth and help eliminate TMJ syndrome.
+Jim Du Molin is a leading Internet search expert helping individuals and families connect with the right dentist in their area. Visit his author page.
