All patients with TMJ disorder or dysfunction will benefit from prompt and effective TMJ treatment. But how can you make sure that you recognize TMJ problems at home? Our Elmhurst TMJ dentist office is here to help you learn to identify TMJ symptoms in your own life. With this information, you will be able to seek treatment for TMJ disorders as soon as these problems emerge.
Your temporomandibular joint can easily become injured and misaligned. When this happens, you may find that your entire mouth, jaw, head, and neck are affected. So what kind of issues can you expect?
Chronic pain
One of the primary ways that TMJ disorder affects patients is by causing chronic pain for the patient. Obviously, TMJ disorder often leads to jaw pain and soreness. Additionally, TMJ can contribute to frequent headaches, neck pain, shoulder pain, and earaches. If you are suffering from hard-to-define facial or oral pain, TMJ could be the culprit.
Mobility issues
Over time, the strain of TMJ disorder can actually lead to serious problems moving the lower jawbone. You may have trouble opening your mouth all of the way—to the point that eating and chewing may be difficult. It can also become difficult, and/or painful, to move your jaw from side to side.
Dental wear
Because TMJ disorder is often accompanied, and exacerbated, by bruxism, many TMJ patients find that their dental enamel begins to thin over time. The constant pressure exerted on your teeth due to dental clenching and grinding also causes small cracks and chips in your enamel.
There are treatment options available to effectively combat TMJ problems. As with most dental problems, the sooner that you seek treatment, the better your long term prognosis. You can reach our Elmhurst TMJ dentist office about this (and any other dental issue) but giving our office a call!