Do you ever suffer from unexplained headaches or jaw pain? Do you wake up in the morning with muscle soreness in your jaw? If so, you could suffer from TMD, or temporomandibular disorder. Your temporomandibular joint connects your jaw to your skull on both sides. It can cause pain or difficulty opening or closing your mouth when it functions incorrectly.
If your TMJ isn’t working like it should, I may diagnose you with TMD. So, what are the symptoms, causes, and treatment options? Keep reading as I explain them in more detail.
TMD Symptoms
If your TMJ isn’t working correctly, it can negatively affect your quality of life, and you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain while biting or chewing
- Neck or shoulder pain
- Jaw joint popping or clicking when you open your mouth
- Teeth grinding
- Jaw muscle pain or discomfort
- Jaw locking in an opened or closed position
TMD Causes: What You Need to Know
Although the causes of TMD are different for each person, you can develop an issue as a result of the following:
- Bite misalignment
- Tooth misalignment
- Grinding or clenching your teeth (bruxism)
- Stress or anxiety
- Jaw injury
Your Treatment Options
Fortunately, there are treatment options for TMD. At my dental office, I use BOTOX® injections to freeze and relax your masseter muscles. This often alleviates headaches and jaw soreness caused by TMD.
BOTOX is a popular treatment because it provides several months of relief before another injection is needed. I received additional training on how to administer BOTOX effectively to my patients. I understand the anatomy of the face and am highly skilled at keeping my patients comfortable while giving them BOTOX injections.
Other TMD treatment options include:
- Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as ibuprofen and naproxen
- Muscle relaxers
- Mouthguards
- Physical therapy
- Lifestyle changes
- Stress management
Struggling with TMJ Pain in Hamlin, NY?
If you want to learn more about TMD treatment in Hamlin, my dental team and I are here to help! At Hamlin Dental, I can diagnose your TMJ disorder and work to alleviate your discomfort. Contact my dental office at (585) 964-2000 for more information or to schedule a consultation.
I look forward to hearing from you.