Bancroft TMJ Disorder

TMJ

If you wake up in the morning feeling pain in your jaw, or if your jaw makes a clicking sound when you chew, you may be suffering from “TMJ Disorder.” TMJ stands for Temporo-Mandibular Joint, which is the joint connecting your jaw to the rest of your skull. The disorder occurs when this joint becomes inflamed.

There are a variety of causes, from stress to excessive gum chewing. For a proper diagnosis, your dentist looks for the following symptoms:

  • Pain in the neck, at the base of the ears and in the lower back of your head
  • Wear of the teeth (especially if no other symptoms of misalignment are present)
  • Difficulty opening the jaw completely
  • Popping or grinding sounds when opening the mouth widely

For general treatment, you will be fitted with a special mouth guard that will prevent your teeth from being damaged and keep your jaw from clenching while you sleep, ultimately putting an end to jaw pain.

If you need more information about TMJ in Bancroft, contact us today.