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More than 10 million Americans are affected by temporomandibular disorder, according to the National Institutes of Health. But even though many people have it, many are unsure what it means to have temporomandibular disorder or TMJ.
TMJ Symptoms
TMJ causes jaw joint trouble that can range from just a nuisance to severe pain. If you have this jaw disorder, you may feel pain when you bite down hard on something or even while talking. Here are some other possible TMJ symptoms:
- Pain in your chewing muscles, jaw joint, neck or face
- Stiff jaw muscles
- A locked jaw or your jaw has limited movement
- Painful clicking or popping of your jaw joint
- Upper and lower teeth don’t fit properly anymore
TMJ Treatment
TMJ can change your ability to eat or speak normally and dramatically affect your day-to-day life. But if you think you might have TMJ, there is hope. At Lakeway Center for Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, we suggest a range of popular TMJ treatments, depending on the severity of your TMJ, such as:
- Self-care: apply ice, try jaw stretches or eat softer foods
- Avoid extreme jaw movements
- Pain medication or muscle relaxants
- Stabilization splint or a bite guard
- Surgery or implants