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According to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, as many as 10 million Americans suffer from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD). TMJD can lead to jaw and facial pain and headaches and put stress on your day-to-day life. Fortunately, Bolden Harris, DC, and the expert team at Family Wellness at Teravista in Round Rock, Texas, offer TMJD treatments to patients of all ages. If you’re looking to alleviate pain and restore your jaw’s natural function, reach out online today or call the friendly staff to book an appointment.
TMJD Q & A
What is TMJD?
Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) refers to a group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) in the jaw. This joint connects your jaw to your skull.
Some known causes of TMJD include genetics, jaw injury or dislocation, or emotional stress that leads to teeth grinding (bruxism). Even sitting in your dentist's chair for long periods of time with your mouth wide open can cause TMJ stress.
Statistics show that women are more likely to suffer from TMJD than men.
What are the symptoms of TMJD?
Some common symptoms of TMJD include:
- Pain in your jaw, cheek, or teeth
- Ear pain when you chew or yawn
- Clicking noises in your jaw
- Inability to open your mouth wide
- Lock jaw
- Misalignment of your upper and lower teeth
- Headaches
- Hearing issues or earaches
- Dizziness
If you have any of the symptoms of TMJD, schedule a consultation with a chiropractor as soon as possible.
What are treatments for TMJD?
Once your chiropractor confirms that you have TMJD through a thorough exam or X-rays, they’ll identify the cause of your issue. They explore every treatment angle before creating a thorough plan.
Usually, treatment for TMJD includes expert chiropractic adjustments. During these adjustments, your chiropractor feels for which side of your jaw joint opens the least amount. Using a light pushing motion, they adjust the stuck side of the jaw first and then the other side.
Adjustments on your jaw work to realign joints and alleviate pain and tension. The top two vertebrae of your spine (in your neck) greatly impact the jaw joint and may also need adjustments.
The team may teach you special massage exercises to stretch or relax jaw and facial muscles. They may encourage self-care practices like applying heat or ice to lessen pain, eating soft foods, and meditation to reduce stress.
It's also important to follow any advice or recommendations during your initial consultation and subsequent appointments. The team designs each exercise and treatment to remove the underlying cause of the problem and restore your jaw’s natural function.
Call Family Wellness at Teravista today or use the convenient online scheduling tool to book an appointment or learn more about TMJD treatments.