Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your jaw to the temporal bones of your skull, which are in front of each ear. It lets you move your jaw up and down and side to side, so you can talk, chew, and yawn. Temporomandibular joint syndrome, commonly known as TMJ disorder, is pain or discomfort in the jaw joint that can be caused by a variety of medical problems. TMJ disorder occurs when the joint that connects your jaw to your temporal bone is damaged. There are many common causes for TMJ, some of which include osteoarthritis, teeth grinding, jaw clenching, infection, or trauma.
Some common symptoms of TMJ disorder include pain in the jaw, especially in the joint area; popping or clicking of the jaw; ear pain or ringing; a tight, stiff, or sore neck; facial, cheek, or chin numbness or pain; lockjaw; as well as some others.
There are a number of treatments for TMJ disorder and Dr. Jennings and Dr. Perrett are TMJ specialist in Colorado Springs and have extensive knowledge and experience in choosing the treatment that is best for each individual case.
Becoming aware of tension-related habits like clenching your jaw, grinding your teeth or chewing pencils may help you reduce the frequency of TMJ disorder. The following tips may help you reduce symptoms of TMJ disorders:
- Avoid overuse of jaw muscles. Eat soft foods. Cut food into small pieces. Steer clear of sticky or chewy food. Avoid chewing gum.
- Stretching and massage. Your dentist may show you how to do exercises that stretch and strengthen your jaw muscles and how to massage the muscles yourself.
- Heat or cold. Applying warm, moist heat or ice to the side of your face may help alleviate pain.