Posted by Are you experiencing problems moving your joints and muscles? If yes, you are probably struggling with a TMJ disorder. Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder affects the joints and muscles that control jaw movement.
There are many reasons why you might develop this disorder. Mostly, a misalignment of teeth and jaw can cause it. However, an orthodontist might be able to help you treat this condition.
If you have developed a TMJ disorder, we’ll help you know everything about it. We’ll also discuss how an orthodontist can help you settle this condition.
What Exactly Is A TMJ Disorder?
The condition affecting your temporomandibular joint is a TMJ disorder. This condition affects the joint which connects your jawbone to your skull. This joint helps your jaw move up and down from side to side. Because of this joint, you can speak, chew, and yawn.
TMJ disorder occurs when these joints or the muscles that control them undergo a problem. It causes discomfort in the jaw, face, neck, and shoulders. You might even experience difficulty with chewing, speaking, or opening and closing the mouth.
Causes Of TMJ disorder
Here are some common causes of a TMJ disorder:
Injury Or Trauma To The Jaw: If your jaw suffers a blow or a dislocation, it can cause damage to your joint or surrounding muscles. Eventually, it leads to a TMJ disorder.
Teeth Grinding Or Clenching: Habitually grinding or clenching your teeth can cause this disorder. You put excessive pressure on the jaw when you grind and clench your teeth.
Stress: Chronic stress can cause tension in the jaw muscles and can lead to TMJ disorder.
Arthritis: Certain types of arthritis can affect the temporomandibular joint and cause TMJ disorder.
Misalignment Of The Teeth Or Jaw: Having an improper bite or misaligned teeth can put a strain on the jaw joint. It causes TMJ disorder.
Poor Posture: Even a poor posture can cause a TMJ disorder. Poor posture causes tension in the shoulders, neck, and jaw muscles.
Joint Deterioration: Sometimes, the joint may deteriorate due to age or disease, leading to TMJ disorder.
Symptoms Of TMJ Disorder
Every person can experience different symptoms of TMJ disorder. Here are some symptoms that people usually experience.
- Pain or tenderness in the jaw when chewing or opening the mouth wide
- Difficulty opening or closing the mouth
- A feeling of stiffness or locking in the jaw
- Headaches or earaches
- Neck, shoulder, or facial pain
- A sensation of pressure in the ears
- Changes in bite, such as the teeth not fitting together properly
- Tired or sore jaw muscles, particularly upon waking up in the morning
If you are witnessing any of these TMJ symptoms, you must see an orthodontist. TMJ disorder can be a complex condition. Only a healthcare professional can help develop an appropriate treatment plan based on the specific symptoms and causes of your condition.
Let’s explore more about how an orthodontist can help cure your TMJ condition.
How Orthodontics Can Help
If you are experiencing a TMJ disorder because of teeth and jaw misalignment, an orthodontist can help you. Orthodontic treatment can effectively reduce TMJ disorder by treating misalignment of the teeth or jaw.
Your orthodontist will make you undergo an oral checkup to check the intensity of the disorder. Then, he might suggest one of the following cures.
Aligning The Teeth: Misaligned teeth can put unnecessary stress on the jaw joint and contribute to TMJ disorder. So, your dentist might suggest you undergo a teeth alignment treatment. By straightening the teeth with braces or clear aligners, the pressure on the jaw joint reduces. Thus, your symptoms of TMJ disorder can improve. Here are few tips on what to do before getting braces.
Correcting The Bite: An improper bite can also put a strain on the jaw joint and contribute to TMJ disorder. Orthodontic treatment can correct bite issues, such as an overbite or underbite. Your orthodontist will work to restore your bite so that you can get relief from the TMJ disorder.
Reducing Teeth Grinding: Some people are habitual of teeth grinding. If teeth grinding or clenching is contributing to TMJ disorder, an orthodontist can help reduce this behavior. Usually, the orthodontist works on aligning the teeth and adjusting the bite.
Night Guards: In some cases, an orthodontist may recommend a night guard to help protect the teeth and jaw from grinding or clenching during sleep. So, you can witness some relief from TMJ symptoms.
The orthodontist might use one of these treatments alone or in conjunction with other treatments. He might suggest you go through physical therapy or pain medication to manage TMJ disorder.
Other Treatments For TMJ Disorder
In addition to orthodontic treatment, there are other treatments that can be effective for managing TMJ disorder.
Physical Therapy: A physical therapist can tell you about exercises and stretches to reduce TMJ symptoms. Physical therapies can improve the function of the jaw muscles.
Medications: Over-the-counter medications can help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation. The orthodontist might also suggest muscle relaxants in some cases.
Heat Or Cold Therapy: You can apply this therapy to the affected area to keep pain and swelling at bay. A warm compress or heating pad can help relax the TMJ muscles. Further, an ice pack can help reduce inflammation.
Relaxation Techniques: Stress reduction techniques, like yoga or deep breathing, can help reduce tension in the jaw muscles. These help you get rid of your TMJ symptoms.
Oral Appliances: You can even wear a dental splint or mouthguard to reduce pressure on the jaw joint.
Conclusion
TMJ disorder can have an impact on a person’s life. The pain associated with the condition can affect your daily routine and activities. The symptoms can also make it difficult to concentrate and focus on work or other tasks. You might develop a TMJ disorder because of many reasons.
However, if you have dental issues such as teeth misalignment or bite issues, you should check with your orthodontist at the earliest. Your orthodontist can suggest you the best treatment and get rid of the TMJ disorder.