TMD Explained
Do you find yourself frequently experiencing jaw discomfort? Or have you changed your eating habits because you find it difficult to chew certain foods or open your mouth wide enough to bite? If you answered yes to either of these questions, you may be experiencing the symptoms of a common condition known as TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition often remains undetected and can cause great discomfort to patients. Continue reading to learn more about TMD and how we can help.
What is TMD?
TMD, also known as temporomandibular joint disorder, occurs when there is a problem with the system of muscles and bones that connect your upper and lower jaw. It can cause a variety of problems that not only cause major discomfort, but can greatly disrupt your quality of life. One of the biggest problems with TMD is it often remains undetected as many of the symptoms mirror that of other conditions and those issues are often looked at first. One of the biggest symptoms of TMD is pain in the face, jaw, neck, and temple. Other symptoms of TMD can include:
- Jaw that can feel stuck and difficult to open and close
- Clicking or popping sound while opening mouth or eating
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
- Headaches
- Limited range of motion
- Tingling or numbness in the fingers
How We Can Help
Many of our patients are surprised to learn that we can diagnose and treat your TMD symptoms to help you have a pain-free and enjoyable life. Following a thorough examination, we can discuss your treatment options to get you relief as soon as possible. We may recommend changing harmful behaviors that are aggravating your symptoms. We may also suggest a treatment method such as orthodontics, an oral appliance, a mouthguard or even a form of cold laser therapy.
If TMD conditions are not treated, the symptoms could increase and become more severe over time. If you live in or around the Kewaskum, WI area and are experiencing any of these symptoms or are interested in learning more about TMD, please contact our office today. We look forward to helping you soon.
