How a TMJ Disorder Might Be Related to Other Painful Conditions

If you wake up every morning with jaw pain in San Marco, it’s often a sign you have a TMJ disorder (TMD). In other words, the joint responsible for moving your jaw could be inflamed or injured somehow. On its own, this condition can lead to constant discomfort, but that may not even be the end of it; many adults with TMJ problems also suffer from fibromyalgia, rheumatoid arthritis, and other inflammatory conditions. Learn more about your jaw pain and the issues that can be linked to it – as well as ways you can find relief!

How Will You Know If You Have a TMJ Disorder?

You need to be able to recognize the signs that there’s a problem with your TMJ in San Marco. This commonly means chronic pain or tenderness of the jaw and its joints. You might also experience pain or a ringing sound in your ears. Other symptoms include difficulty chewing, lockjaw, aching facial pain, and a clicking sound whenever you open your mouth. Since each case is different, you might not notice all these warning signs, but each one can be cause for concern on its own.

How Can a TMJ Disorder Be Linked to Other Conditions?

About two-thirds of TMJ patients will also report two or three related health conditions. Sometimes these issues might have directly contributed to the TMD itself. Arthritis, for example, could easily end up straining the joint that connects the lower jaw to the head. And if you suffer from a sleep disorder, you may grind your teeth at night, which is a common risk factor for jaw problems. Overall, while the connections between TMD in San Marco and other conditions isn’t entirely clear, debilitating pain and joint impairment do seem to be a common link. In any case, you’ll want to have your symptoms diagnosed and treated sooner rather than later.

Ways to Treat Your Jaw Pain

The main goal of TMJ therapy is to relieve your pain and allow your jaw to function normally. One of the most conservative ways to do that is to wear an occlusal splint. This plastic mouthpiece can be designed by a dentist to fit perfectly over your teeth, and it will hold the jaw in a comfortable position that helps the jaw joints relax. There are other possible treatments as well; for example, you might use stretching exercises to relieve the tension in your joints.

Oftentimes, living with a TMD means living with constant discomfort and other health issues – but there’s no reason why you should have to accept it! Get in touch with your dentist as soon as possible so that you can eat, speak, and smile without pain once again.

About the Author

Dr. Sol G. Brotman has served as a teacher for dental students, residents, fellows, faculty members, and colleagues at four different schools. He has also served as the Chair of the Florida Board of Dentistry. His practice offers occlusal splints and other forms of therapy that can help you overcome jaw pain caused by a TMD. To schedule an appointment, visit his website or call (904) 396-4091.