Information about TMJ

TMJ is a jaw problem that causes pain in the muscles of your face. The bite is incorrectly aligned, making the jaw work extra hard to make sure the teeth are meeting and chewing correctly. This extra work causes pain. Unfortunately, many people do not realize they have TMJ and just ignore the pain.

They do not know that it can and should be corrected. If left untreated for too long, the pain becomes much stronger and can cause headaches, lockjaw, sore muscles, difficulty chewing, migraines, and neck pain.

There are a variety of options for treating TMJ, including techniques that are much less invasive than jaw surgery. Severe TMJ will most likely require surgery but if the condition is caught early enough, there is a good chance it can be solved without it.

Advanced dental technology has increased the chances that you will not require surgery to correct your TMJ. If you suspect you may have it, do some research so that you understand everything your dentist is telling you about your condition, including the different options and methods used to treat it. When you go see your dentist, he can tell you what is best for your particular issue.

Since TMJ is caused by muscle tension, it can also cause a chain reaction through other parts of the body, triggering muscle spasms in the neck, shoulders, and face, as well as the jaw. Lockjaw, one of the results of untreated TMJ, causes the mouth not to open to its fullest extent because the muscles are so tense. If you are experiencing this or any other symptom of TMJ, you should contact your dentist immediately.

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