Do you experience pain in your jaws? Does either side of your jaw make a “clicking” sound when you open and close your mouth? Have you ever been unable to completely close your mouth after a huge yawn (or any time) because your jaw seems frozen open? These are just a few of the symptoms you might experience if you have TMD or temporomandibular joint disorder. Read on to learn more about this sometimes debilitating disorder.
More About TMD
A few more indicators of TMD include pain chewing food, facial pain, and pain near your ears. So, what is going on? In the simplest terms, either or both of the ball joints that connect your skull to each side of your lower jaw has a problem. They are tasked with a wide range of movements — sideways, up and down, and back and forth — and all that motion causes wear and tear on the cartilage they are made of. The joint can lose alignment and erode from use. Injuries from falls and even arthritis can adversely affect these joints. We can inflict damage to the joints ourselves when we habitually grind our teeth or clench and unclench our jaws.
Relief Is Possible
If you find you are unable to open or close your mouth because the TMJ (temporomandibular joint) has “frozen,” you should remain calm and focus on relaxing your jaw. If you are still unable to open or close after a few minutes, contact our office right away.
Therapies include exercises to relax the jaw, ultrasound physical therapy, and ice and moist heat. Depending upon your situation, other therapies may be recommended. Every case of TMD is unique to the individual and may respond differently to various treatments. We will carefully examine your teeth and jaws to determine the best treatment for you.
If you suffer from facial and jaw pain, it could be TMD. Contact our office today and schedule your examination so we can work together to get you the pain relief you deserve. We are happy to serve Canton, Mississippi, and the surrounding area.