If you have temporary pain in your face or jaw, you might have sinusitis. But if the pain is more chronic, you might have TMJ issues. TMJ affects one or both of your jaw joints. If you visit a family dental care Cary, IL, practice, their dentist can diagnose the cause of your pain. If you have TMJ, they can get you started on TMJ therapy. This article will tell you more about TMJ and the details of its therapy.
What Exactly is TMJ?
TMJ is a temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition causes you to have pain in your jaw’s joints. Unfortunately, your family dental care Cary, IL, dentist can’t always pinpoint the cause of this type of pain. Some of the more common factors of this condition can include clenching or grinding your teeth, a past jaw injury, or arthritis. Genetics could also have a part to play in who gets this condition.
The Symptoms of TMJ
Most people who have TMJ experience local pain around their joints. But it could spread to other parts of your face. Chewing might become difficult. Their jaw might lock. They might even hear a clicking noise when they open their jaw.
The Diagnosis of TMJ
When you visit your dentist, they will take your health and dental history. You will get asked to open and close your jaw. That is so the dentist can listen for clicking sounds and look at the range of motion for your jaw. They might also press down on your jaw to see if that motion causes pain for you.
TMJ Therapy
You might get fitted for a mouthguard that you will wear during sleep. During TMJ therapy, you will be led through jaw exercises that will strengthen the muscles in that area. Your dentist might also suggest that you undergo hot or cold therapy at home.
Dr. Thomas Skleba of Cary Dental Associates has taken great care of Cary, IL, smiles for many years. For more information visit them online.