What is TMJ?
Dr. Wilhite has helped hundred of patients who suffer from TMJ Disorder, migraine headaches, and tooth grinding. Frequently asked TMJ questions include \”what is TMJ?\” TMJ disorders can cause pain in your jaw joint and the surrounding muscles. The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is the joint that connects your jawbone to your skull. TMJ pain can look different for different patients. For example, some experience continuous pain, others have pain that comes and goes. Some who suffer from TMJ Disorder experience a locking, stiff jaw or experience a pop when they open and close their mouth.
Frequently asked TMJ questions: What are symptoms?
While different patients experience different symptoms, here is a list of symptoms that someone suffering from TMJ Disorder might experience:
Headaches
Pain or tenderness in your jaw
Jaw clicking and popping
Pain in your jaw joints
Pain in or around your ears
Earaches or ear pain
Popping sounds in ears
Pain while chewing
Facial pain or aching
Locking of the jaw joint
Neck stiffness or aches
What are TMJ exercises for pain relief?
Because TMJ pain symptoms are different between patients, there is no universal exercise for TMJ pain relief. However, some people have found that TMJ exercises can help ease the pain. TMJ exercises work to achieve four basic goals: strengthening the jaw, stretching the temporomandibular joint, improving the mobility of the temporomandibular joint, and providing relaxation to treat stress-induced TMJ pain. Learn some of the exercises here.
Frequently asked TMJ questions: What is TMJ treatment?
Most TMJ treatment begins with the most conservative, least invasive procedures. After exercises, other options may include the NTI mouth guard device. It is used to treat appropriate cases of TMJ when the root cause is teeth grinding and clenching. Another option is using Botox injections to end TMJ pain. For those who cannot control their daytime clenching, Botox often produces good results by reducing the intensity of muscle contractions.
