Your temporomandibular joint is a hinge that connects your skull to your jawbone. This joint is located on each side of your jaw and makes it possible to open and close your mouth smoothly. You use temporomandibular joints when you open and close your mouth to chew and speak.

TMJ disorders happen when your temporomandibular joint — comprising your jaw bone, muscles, joints, cartilage, and shock-absorbing disks — isn’t functioning correctly. TMJ results in jaw pain that can be severe.

It’s unclear what causes TMJ disorders, but more than 10 million Americans may be affected. The potential risk factors for TMJ disorders include:

• Disk erosion or misalignment
• Arthritis that damages cartilage
• A blow or blunt force to the temporomandibular joint
• Jaw dislocation
• Grinding teeth
• Misaligned teeth and jaw

If you have TMJ, you’re likely to experience one or more of the following symptoms associated with this condition:

• Pain near the temporomandibular joint
• Jaw pain or tenderness
• Pain in the face or neck
• Pain or difficulty while chewing
• Locking of the temporomandibular joint
• Difficulty opening or closing your mouth
• Earaches
• Jaw muscle stiffness
• Upper and lower teeth misalignment
• Jaw clicking or popping

When you have TMJ, specific activities like chewing can be a painful experience. Fortunately, Dr. Ash suggests several things you can do on your own to ease the pain:

• Eat soft foods
• Avoid extreme jaw movements
• Use ice or heat as needed
• Practice muscle relaxation techniques
• Practice the jaw stretches Dr. Ash provides
• Avoid chewing gum
• Don’t bite your nails

If your TMJ symptoms persist, schedule an appointment with Dr. Ash to review treatment options that reduce pain and accelerate healing. He creates a treatment plan you’re comfortable with.

Common TMJ treatments include:

• Medications to relax muscles and ease the pain
• A night guard to eliminate teeth grinding and jaw clenching
• Jaw strengthening and stretching exercises
• Physical therapy
• Cold laser therapy (low-level light energy that aids in healing)
• Ultrasound therapy (sound waves that reduce pain and inflammation)
• Electric muscle stimulation

Just because you have TMJ doesn’t mean you have to live in pain. Call Dr. Ash today to learn more about treatment options or book an appointment online.