Jaw pain and pain that radiates from your jaw to your head, neck or shoulders could indicate that you may have a problem with your temporomandibular joint. Clenching teeth, grinding your teeth and other habits put additional stress on the joints and surrounding tissues where your jaw bone is hinged. This added pressure leads to muscle fatigue, inflammation and discomfort.

Temporomandibular joint disorder, also called TMJ or TMD, is a common problem among a third of the adult population and can be treated with general dentistry. One of the most prevalent symptoms is a headache. Data shows that women are more affected by this disorder than men.

Treatment for TMJ/TMD is dependent upon the severity of the case. In many instances, the problem will resolve on its own after a period of time. Other than aspirin or ibuprofen for headaches, no special treatment is necessary. However, when OTC pain relievers do not help or when discomfort continues, other pain management care is required. In mild cases, learning certain exercises in addition to pain medication will ease discomfort. In more severe situations, other interventions may be necessary.

Special custom-made mouth guards can be used when sleeping to stop teeth grinding. Learning how to manage your stress level may also help relax the muscles around the jaw joint.

The first step to relief from the discomfort of TMJ/TMD is getting an accurate diagnosis. Experiencing jaw pain and/or headaches is not automatically an indication that you have a problem with your jaw joint. Such pain has also been associated with other health issues. Trigeminal neuralgia, an extreme form of facial pain, originates from the nervous system. Osteoarthritis is another source of joint pain that can affect the jaw, especially when it is in motion. At Southern Dental, we will find the cause of your discomfort and advise you accordingly.

If it is the temporomandibular joint that is causing you pain, your dentist will make recommendations based on the severity of your problem. Even if you have been dealing with this problem for an extended period of time, relief is available. Contact Southern Dental Group today to find out more information about TMJ/TMD and make your appointment for a consultation for pain relief.