Woman In White Dress With Headache From Tmj Tmd

What Is TMJ?

TMJ refers to your jaw joint – which unabbreviated is the “Temporomandibular joint”. This joint connects your jaw via a tiny flat disc (called the aritcular disc) to your skull. When people talk about TMJ jaw pain, they often mean TMD.

TMD refers to “Temporomandibular joint disorder” – which is the general term dentist use when you have been diagnosed with jaw joint pain.

There are many causes of Jaw Joint pain, some of which include:

Consequences of untreated TMD can cause a variety of problems such as misaligned teeth and a poor bite. This may cause further strain on your jaw muscles leading to headaches, back pain, neck pain. You may start to hear grinding or clicking noises that may eventually worsen to restricted jaw movements and pain when chewing or talking. Some patients experience tinnitus (ringing ears) which may lead to dizziness.

If you are experiencing TMJ pain, we recommend that you book an appointment with us as soon as possible so we can assess your jaw.

Signs and Symptoms of TMJ Pain

Grinding or Clenching (Bruxism)

Teeth grinding and clenching, also known as Bruxism, is one of the leading signs of possible TMJ problems. This can severely damage your teeth and can also result in jaw problems and muscle aches.

One of the other most common signs of TMD is a clicky jaw. This is due to the partial displacement of the articular disc. In some rare cases, this can also lead to jaw pain.

Yawning or opening wide can result in a locked jaw for some patients. If this happens to you – chances are that you have TMD.

Symptoms of this include tightness in the cheek/jaw, headaches, neck aches, teeth pain (that can’t be localised)

Headaches and dizziness are generally the two inter-related symptoms of TMD.

If your jaw is out of alignment, you may experience eventual bite problems as your teeth and jaws shift and compensate for the new bite.

Although this is not always a sign of TMD, it generally accompanies many of the other symptoms.

Need help with your TMJ Treatment?

We have a variety of Payment Plans available – giving you the flexibility of paying for your TMD Treatment later.

Man In Blue Shirt Holding Side Of Face

Treatment options for TMD Pain

Inflammation of the muscles and joints can be treated with medication such as ibuprofen or warm application to the sore jaw muscles. In most cases where the problem is linked to grinding and clenching, an occlusal splint is all you need. Sometimes, sleep problems such as sleep apnoea can contribute to jaw pain.

In pain cases, a separate day and night splint is usually required to be worn for a period of time while the muscles and joint starts to heal. Physiotherapy is a great option if it is due to poor posture or strained jaw muscles. Exercises tend to help well in such cases.

Correcting your bite via orthodontics or doing orthopaedic (jaw positioning) therapy may be of help. In severe cases, a specialist may be required to intervene or even surgery may be required.

Tmj Disorder Diagram
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Common Problems

Bad Breath
Bad breath (halitosis) is a common issue that can affect your confidence and social interactions. Fortunately, with the right care, it’s often treatable and preventable.
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Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth occur when there isn't enough space in the jaw for teeth to align properly. This can lead to overlapping or crooked teeth, making it harder to maintain oral hygiene and increasing the risk of dental issues.
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Snoring
Man With A Snoring Problem
Snoring
Snoring is a common issue, but it’s important to understand that it’s not a normal part of healthy sleep. When someone snores, it often indicates that their airway is partially obstructed, which restricts the flow of oxygen to the body. This restriction can negatively impact not only the quality of your sleep but also your overall health.
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Receding Gums
Receding gums occur when the gums surrounding the teeth wear away or pull back, exposing more of the tooth or its root. This exposure can result in the roots of the teeth being exposed and becoming very sensitive. It can also lead to gaps between the tooth root and the gum creating a little pocket that makes it easier for disease-causing bacteria to build up.
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Overbite
An overbite, also known as a deep bite, is a common dental issue where the upper front teeth overlap significantly with the lower front teeth.
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Tooth Decay
Tooth decay, also called dental caries or cavity, is the most prevalent dental problem in the world. Signs include block/brown holes in your teeth, broken teeth, bad taste or smells.
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Gum Infection
Do you have swollen, red, bleeding gums, or bad breath? This might indicate a gum infection which requires prompt treatment.
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Tooth Abscess
A tooth abscess is a painful and potentially dangerous dental condition that arises from a bacterial infection. Signs include pain, swelling, gum pimples, bad breathe or taste.
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Teeth Grinding
Teeth grinding (bruxism), is the involuntary clenching, gnashing, or grinding of the teeth. Signs include tooth wear, sensitivity, jaw pain, and headaches.
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Impacted Wisdom Teeth
Impacted Wisdom teeth are generally described as molars which are coming out at odd angles but seem stuck at the same time. Signs include pain, swelling, infection, and headaches.
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Toothache
Tooth ache troubles? Let us help
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Sensitive Teeth
Sensitive teeth are generally described as sharp, short-acting tooth pain when you drink cold drinks, eat ice cream, or drink hot tea.
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Yellow Teeth
Yellow teeth, or discoloured teeth, is a common tooth problem that is generally cosmetic in nature but may have underlying implications.
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Enamel Erosion
Acid Erosion Banner
Enamel Acid Erosion
Worn down teeth can be a sign of tooth enamel acid erosion. This can be caused by a variety of reasons and should not be ignored, despite the lack of symptoms.
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Cracked Tooth
Gingivitis Banner Man Pointing To His Gums
Cracked Tooth
A chipped or fractured tooth that can annoying your tongue or cheek.
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Gingivitis
Gingivitis Banner Man Pointing To His Gums
Gingivitis
Red swollen gums? Sounds like you might have Gingivitis.
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Frequently Asked Questions

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Do I need to see a specialist for my jaw pain?

Not all cases need to be referred to a specialist so we recommend you make a consult appointment to see if this is required.

There are many types of grinding guards. Each case requires careful diagnosis to ensure the correct guard is prescribed.

In the absence of pain, we do not always recommend treatment. We occasionally recommend management of the problem so that your signs and symptoms do not get worse.

Entrust us with your dental care.
Give us a call, book an appointment online, or visit us.
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