The temporomandibular joints (TMJ) connect the skull to the lower jawbone. Any damage or stress on these joints can lead to TMJ disorders. Patients with TMJ disorders often experience pain and discomfort in the jaw, face, and teeth. At Smiles by Mia, Dr. Mia and her team offer TMJ treatment to patients in Burke, VA. Treating bite disorders like TMD can restore a patient’s smile, bite function, and comfort.
Signs of TMJ Disorders
Patients with temporomandibular joint disorders can experience these symptoms:
- Orofacial pain (pain in the face and oral cavity)
- Teeth clenching and grinding (bruxism)
- Jaw clicking and popping
- Chronic headaches and migraines
- Tooth and jaw pain
Contact Smiles by Mia if you find any changes in your jaw, teeth, or face. Our professional dental team will help you find the best treatment to relieve your pain and discomfort.
What Causes TMJ?
Many different things can cause TMJ. Often, we find that multiple things contribute to the development of TMJ. One of the most common ones is an uneven bite. If your bite is uneven, the jaw joint isn’t tracking properly and starts to break down. This can be something that you’re born with or something that occurs due to an injury or trauma. A blow to the jaw can disrupt the proper alignment or damage the jaw’s support structure.
Another prevalent cause is bruxism, also known as teeth grinding. When you clench and grind your teeth, you strain the muscles and jaw joint. The longer you have this habit, the more effects from it you’ll notice. Your jaw joint becomes inflamed, the muscles tense, and the jaw joint breaks down.
Certain arthritic and degenerative diseases influence TMJ. Arthritis inflames the joints and makes them stiff, making them difficult to move. The joint erodes, too, causing more problems over time.
But physical issues aren’t the only influences on TMJ. If you’re stressed or more anxious than usual, you’re more likely to suffer from TMJ problems. Many people clench or grind their teeth more when stressed, and you’re more likely to have muscle tension throughout your body in general.
Even your posture can impact TMJ, which many patients don’t expect. If your head posture is forward or you often sit hunched, you can strain your neck and jaw muscles. Some muscles throughout your face and neck may be stronger than others, creating an imbalance. This can affect the way your jaw muscles move.
TMJ Treatment in Burke, VA
We examine the smile at routine appointments and take dental x-rays as needed. If we find any areas of wear or if patients have noticed TMJ symptoms, we will recommend treatment. Nightguards help patients who clench and grind their teeth at night.
Bruxism, or teeth clenching and grinding, wears down the tooth enamel, often making it difficult for patients to bite and chew comfortably. Patients with bruxism can also experience jaw pain, headaches, and jaw popping and clicking. Wearing a custom nightguard can stop damage and pain caused by TMD.
Nightguards are similar to mouthguards because they cover teeth. However, our nightguards are made of hard acrylic that covers the upper or lower teeth. Patients often clench and grind their teeth unconsciously during sleep. Wearing a nightguard during sleep prevents tooth wear and pressure on the jaw joints.
Some patients must undergo physical therapy and follow a soft diet for several weeks. During physical therapy, patients learn the best exercises to relieve jaw, neck, shoulder, and even arm pain. A soft diet also gives the jaw joints a break from hard or crunchy foods.
TMJ Treatment FAQs
Read answers to commonly asked questions about TMJ Treatment in Burke, VA:
Can TMJ disorders go away on their own without treatment?
Yes, TMJ disorders can sometimes go away on their own without treatment if the problem is mild or caused by temporary stress or overuse. But we recommend that you contact our office if problems like jaw pain or stiffness last more than a few weeks or get worse. We can find the cause and suggest treatments if needed.
What happens if TMJ is left untreated?
If TMJ disorder is left untreated, the symptoms might get worse over time or even lead to long-term problems. For some people, the pain and stiffness may come and go, staying manageable. But for others, ignoring it could cause more serious issues like chronic jaw pain, frequent headaches, or even damage to the joint itself.
Over time, untreated TMJ can make it harder to chew, talk, or open your mouth fully. In some cases, the jaw may start clicking, popping, or even lock in place. Teeth grinding or clenching (a common cause of TMJ) can also wear down your teeth if not addressed.
While not everyone needs major treatment, seeing a doctor or dentist early can help prevent worse problems later.
Can TMJ affect my ears?
Yes, TMJ disorders can affect your ears because the jaw joint is very close to your ear canal. Swelling, muscle tension, or misalignment in the jaw joint can put pressure on nearby nerves and structures connected to the ear.
Many people with TMJ problems report ear-related symptoms, such as ear pain, a feeling of fullness or pressure in the ears, or even ringing (tinnitus). Sometimes, TMJ issues can also cause muffled hearing or make you feel like your ears are clogged, even though there’s no actual ear infection.
What foods should I avoid if I have TMJ pain?
If you have TMJ pain, it’s best to avoid foods that are hard, chewy, or require big bites. These can put extra strain on your jaw and make the pain worse. Stay away from tough meats like steak or jerky, crunchy snacks like nuts and chips, and chewy foods like gum, caramel, or bagels. Even raw carrots or apples can be hard on your jaw if you bite into them whole.
Instead, try softer foods that don’t need much chewing, like yogurt, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs, or soup. Cutting food into small pieces can also help. Avoiding hard and chewy foods gives your jaw a chance to rest and heal.
What jaw exercises can I do if I have TMJ?
These gentle jaw exercises can help ease TMJ pain and improve movement:
- Controlled opening and closing: Place your tongue lightly on the roof of your mouth. Then slowly open your mouth about halfway and close it again while you keep your teeth slightly apart. Repeat this a few times to relax the muscles.
- Side-to-side movement: Place a thin object (like a popsicle stick) between your front teeth. Then gently move your jaw side to side. This helps stretch tight muscles without overworking them.
- Chin tucks: Sit or stand straight, then pull your chin back like you’re making a double chin. Hold for a few seconds to strengthen neck and jaw muscles.
Can orthodontic treatment help with TMJ symptoms?
Braces or aligners can sometimes help with TMJ symptoms, but it depends on the cause of the problem. If your TMJ pain is related to a misaligned bite, fixing the alignment might reduce strain on your jaw joint.
But orthodontics doesn’t always cure TMJ issues if the problem is caused by muscle tension, stress, or habits like teeth grinding.
How long does TMJ treatment take to relieve symptoms?
The time it takes for TMJ treatment to work depends on the cause and severity of your symptoms. You can find relief in several weeks if you have mild symptoms. We will recommend that you eat soft food, and reduce stress for milder cases. If you use a nightguard for teeth grinding, you could notice improvement in a month or two as your jaw muscles relax.
For more stubborn TMJ pain, treatments like physical therapy or medications might take several weeks to a few months to make a real difference. It could take six months or longer to see full improvement if you have long-lasting TMJ issues.
Do I need surgery for TMJ?
We only consider TMJ surgery if nothing else works after you try gentler treatments for a long time. Most people with TMJ pain experience improvement with a nightguard or lifestyle changes. Physical therapy or medications can also help in tougher cases.
We only recommend surgery if you have serious damage to the joint, like if the disc inside is stuck, the bones are worn down, or the jaw locks frequently. Even then, we try less invasive treatments first.
Schedule a Consultation
Are you experiencing jaw pain, tooth wear, or morning headaches? You may have TMD. Call (571) 789-1265 to get TMJ treatment in Burke, VA. You can also request a dental appointment on our website.