Is Your TMJ Pain Altering Your Daily Life?
Any pain within your body can affect the way you live, but facial pain can impact you even more. When your TMJ is hurting, it can be hard for you to eat and speak with others. This pain can make you feel self-conscious in public, affecting your relationships.
Dr. Kruger is an experienced and well-trained dentist who can relieve the pain in your TMJ and help you get back to living your life normally. This will likely boost your self-confidence and improve different aspects of your life.
What Causes TMJ Disorder?
Your temporomandibular joint, or TMJ, is located on the side of your jaw and connects your jawbone to your skull. It directly affects your ability to chew your food as well as how you speak. If this joint becomes misaligned or injured, it can cause temporomandibular joint disorder — also known as TMD.
This disorder causes extreme pain throughout your entire jaw and may cause it to “lock” at times. TMD can be caused by teeth grinding, a direct hit to the jaw, or even stress. If you’re experiencing any pain in your jaw, it’s crucial that we address it before it becomes more severe.
Symptoms of TMD
TMJ disorder can begin as a subtle pain and grow in severity over time. If you experience consistent discomfort in your jaw, it’s important that you seek help right away. You may be suffering from this condition if you feel any of the following:
- Sore jawbone joint
- Inflammation in the jawbone or joint
- Neck and shoulder pain
- Aching face and jaw
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Ringing in the ears — also known as tinnitus
- Headaches
The Connection Between Arthritis and TMJ Disorder
Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints and the cartilage around them. If it reaches your jaw, it can eventually destroy the cartilage altogether and negatively affect your bite and ability to speak.
Since arthritis weakens the jaw, it can lead to misalignment of the teeth and other oral problems. Many times the two conditions can be confused, or one can lead to the other. The symptoms listed above can also be due to your arthritis.
TMD Treatment
If you think you’re suffering from TMJ disorder, get in touch with our staff right away. We’ll schedule you an appointment with Dr. Kruger so he can evaluate your jaw. Our goal is to provide you with the most comfortable and convenient treatment possible.
The most common method we offer is an oral appliance. It’s also known as a nightguard and is custom made to fit the size and shape of your jaw. This device is a non-invasive alternative to surgery and will provide you will quality results by stopping your teeth from grinding or clenching together.
Exercises for TMJ Relief
For many people, stress causes the pain and tension in their jaw that leads to TMD. In addition to providing you with a customized oral appliance, Dr. Kruger can also recommend exercises to help strengthen your jaw.
Sometimes developing techniques to help you relax during the day and while you sleep will relieve the tension in your jaw, improving your condition. If you’re looking to cure your TMJ as quickly as possible, talk to Dr. Kruger about this additional treatment method.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I seek treatment for TMD?
If you experience persistent facial pain or stiffness in your jaw, we recommend scheduling a consultation with Dr. Kruger or one of our expert dentists right away. It’s important to receive TMJ therapy as soon as possible to relieve your symptoms and prevent them from worsening. Our expert team is dedicated to giving you the care you need so that you can live a pain-free life.
Can TMD cause hearing loss?
TMD can cause hearing loss if left untreated for too long. Your temporomandibular joints are located on either side of your head near your ears. If there’s an issue with this area, it can cause you to develop problems with your hearing due to the proximity. Fortunately, receiving TMJ therapy, such as an oral appliance, can protect your ears while helping you regain your hearing over time.
Do TMD symptoms go away on their own?
Your TMD symptoms won’t go away on their own without receiving TMJ therapy. If you ignore the pain you’re experiencing, this can further complicate the issues with your jaw muscle and potentially require more invasive procedures. To start finding relief from your TMD, schedule a consultation with Dr. Kruger so that he can develop a treatment plan.
What can Dr. Kruger do about my TMD?
Along with your teeth, dentists are concerned with the health of your jaw. Dr. Kruger can determine the root cause of your TMD by evaluating your oral health. Experienced dentists are trained and highly familiar with these areas; Dr. Kruger will be able to easily spot any abnormalities. Our practice can provide a variety of treatment options based on your unique oral health case.
Alleviate Your Jaw Pain With Dr. Kruger
Persistent facial and jaw pain can negatively affect your quality of life. The good news is that you don’t have to put up with it any longer. Our resident dentist, Dr. Kruger has the knowledge and experience to treat symptoms associated with TMD. With our oral appliances and treatment options, we can dramatically improve the health of your teeth and jaw.
If there’s anything that’s impacting your quality of life, it’s our job to help you solve it. Contact our Oelwein practice by calling (319) 283-4222 or our West Union practice at (563) 422-6292. We serve patients who reside in the Hazleton, Fairbank, Douglas, and Eldorado, IA areas.