TMJ Treatment: The Causes of TMJ | Raio Dental

TMJ treatment: The causes of TMJ

August 25, 2023

TMJ pain can be very difficult to live with. It does not go away on its own; in fact, it gets worse and worse over time, affecting more areas of your face and body than just your jaw. It can come on suddenly due to an injury, or it can come on slowly with no known cause. Either way, TMJ can be treated, and you can live a life free from TMJ pain. Keep reading to learn more about TMJ, possible causes, and how to get TMJ treatment.

What causes TMJ and TMD?

Temporomandibular disorders https://www.nidcr.nih.gov/health-info/tmd (TMDs) are a group of more than 30 conditions that cause pain and dysfunction in the jaw joint and muscles that control jaw movement. “TMDs” refers to the disorders, and “TMJ” refers only to the temporomandibular joint itself. People have two TMJs, one on each side of the jaw. You can feel them by placing your fingers in front of your ears and opening your mouth.

Some common causes of TMJ that lead to TMJ treatment include:

  • Injury
  • Teeth grinding
  • Dental issues
  • Jaw clenching
  • Stress
  • Arthritis
  • Malocclusion, which is a misaligned bite
  • Poor posture
  • Sleep apnea
  • Excessive chewing, such as gum or ice

Some simple lifestyle changes can help ease the symptoms of TMJ, such as avoiding hard foods, using over-the-counter pain relievers, or using a cold compress. However, many people with severe TMJ pain and symptoms may require treatment from a TMJ specialist.

Symptoms you shouldn’t ignore

If you have TMJ pain, it is important to seek TMJ treatment as soon as possible before your condition worsens. Severe TMJ and TMD can lead to life-altering issues that affect everyday life. Some of the major symptoms of TMJ that you shouldn’t ignore include:

  • Pain in the jaw
  • Pain spreading to other parts of the face
  • Neck and shoulder pain
  • Jaw stiffness
  • Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
  • Jaw popping or clicking noises
  • More frequent headaches
  • Headaches so severe they seem like a migraine
  • Earaches and tinnitus
  • Toothaches
  • A change in the way your bite fits

Get TMJ treatment with raio dental

Whether you suffered an injury to your jaw or are unsure what the cause of your TMJ is, getting treatment to live a pain-free life is possible. If you are looking for relief from TMJ and are ready to take the next step, we are here for you.

Located in Medford, New York, Dr. Raio is an Airway Health Specialist and Restorative Dentist. He has over 25 years of clinical experience, is a strong advocate of ongoing education, and remains on the cutting edge of the most advanced treatments available for the treatment of his patients. The clinic offers a wide range of services, such as general services, specialty services, and sleep dentistry.

For more information, TMJ and TMD tips, and book an appointment with us today, visit our website at www.raiodental.com

National Dental

Migraines? It might be TMJ

September 1, 2023TMJ can cause migraine-like headaches Did you know a study found that 100% of people with chronic migraines had TMJ, compared to just 54% of those without migraines? There are several ...

Read more

National Dental

TMJ treatment: The causes of TMJ

September 1, 2023TMJ pain can be very difficult to live with. It does not go away on its own; in fact, it gets worse and worse over time, affecting more areas of ...

Read more

National Dental

CPAP recall: Can I treat my sleep apnea without a CPAP machine?

September 1, 2023The CPAP recall is frightening, and its effects are still being felt nearly two years later. If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, it's time to rethink how ...

Read more

National Dental

Sleep apnea causes daytime drowsiness

September 4, 2023If you suffer from daytime drowsiness, you might be chalking it up to having a busy life. Maybe your career is demanding, your kids are running you ragged, or you're ...

Read more

National Dental

Sleep apnea: Your most common questions answered

September 4, 2023Do you suffer from loud snoring, daytime drowsiness, and pauses in breathing in your sleep? If so, you may be one of the 30 million Americans. Understanding sleep apnea is ...

Read more

National Dental

Jaw pain? Here are TMJ treatment tips

September 1, 2023Constant, chronic pain is very difficult to deal with, especially when it is your jaw. We use our jaws all day long for talking, eating, yawning, smiling, and more, making ...

Read more

National Dental

Sleep apnea: The causes and risk factors

September 4, 2023Have you been recently diagnosed with sleep apnea, or suspect you are suffering from it? You are not alone. In order to properly treat sleep apnea (rather than give you ...

Read more

National Dental

Can dentistry help sleep apnea?

September 1, 2023Sleep apnea is a condition that can go unnoticed, undetected, and even ignored by over 80% of the people who suffer from it. Undiagnosed and untreated sleep apnea isn't just ...

Read more

National Dental

Help for TMJ with dentistry

September 4, 2023If you're suffering from TMJ, you understand how debilitating this condition can be. The constant aches and pains, headaches, inability to eat certain foods, and much more can inhibit your ...

Read more

Most Read

Migraines? It might be TMJ

September 1, 2023TMJ can cause migraine-like headaches Did you know a study found that 100% of people with chronic migraines had TMJ, compared to just 54% of those without migraines? There are several ...

Read more

TMJ treatment: The causes of TMJ

September 1, 2023TMJ pain can be very difficult to live with. It does not go away on its own; in fact, it gets worse and worse over time, affecting more areas of ...

Read more

CPAP recall: Can I treat my sleep apnea without a CPAP machine?

September 1, 2023The CPAP recall is frightening, and its effects are still being felt nearly two years later. If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, it's time to rethink how ...

Read more

Sleep apnea causes daytime drowsiness

September 4, 2023If you suffer from daytime drowsiness, you might be chalking it up to having a busy life. Maybe your career is demanding, your kids are running you ragged, or you're ...

Read more

Just In

Migraines? It might be TMJ

September 1, 2023TMJ can cause migraine-like headaches Did you know a study found that 100% of people with chronic migraines had TMJ, compared to just 54% of those without migraines? There are several ...

Read more

TMJ treatment: The causes of TMJ

September 1, 2023TMJ pain can be very difficult to live with. It does not go away on its own; in fact, it gets worse and worse over time, affecting more areas of ...

Read more

CPAP recall: Can I treat my sleep apnea without a CPAP machine?

September 1, 2023The CPAP recall is frightening, and its effects are still being felt nearly two years later. If you have sleep apnea and use a CPAP, it's time to rethink how ...

Read more

Sleep apnea causes daytime drowsiness

September 4, 2023If you suffer from daytime drowsiness, you might be chalking it up to having a busy life. Maybe your career is demanding, your kids are running you ragged, or you're ...

Read more