4 Facts About TMJ Disorders
Ask any dentist, and despite their obvious bias, they will tell you that your oral health is one of the most important aspects of overall health and wellness. Our mouths, teeth, and gum are essentially the gateway to our bodies. Everything we eat, drink, or consume otherwise, passes through this area and things like infections or bacterial build-up can wreak havoc on an otherwise healthy individual. Considering this, dental visits are vital to your health overall, and finding the top dentist Massapequa has to offer should be your number one priority. Dr. Jay Ritter, of Ritter Family Dental and his team offer their patients top notch dental health services and has the experience to handle a variety of different oral health concerns, like TMJ disorders (temporomandibular joint). While little is known about TMJ disorders, and many of us have never even heard the term, TMJ disorders are fairly common and can drastically affect your daily life. Considered by many to be the top dentist Massapequa has in practice, Dr. Jay Ritter specializes in the treatment of such issues and is very knowledgeable on this topic. So without further ado, here are 4 important facts about TMJ disorders everyone should know.
· TMD or TMJ: More Than Just a Jaw Ache
The first thing to know about a TMJ disorder is that TMJ simply stands for the area of the jaw that is being affected. The temporomandibular joint is the joint that attaches the lower mandible to the rest of the skull. Therefore, TMJ disorders, are simply any condition in which this joint is affected. At Ritter Family Dental, Dr. Jay Ritter, considered by patients to be the top dentist Massapequa has to offer, treats a variety of different TMJ issues. And each of these cases is different from the other, while in essence, this disorder refers to a condition of the jaw, patients will feel pain in many different areas besides the jaw. TMJ patients will often experience neck pain, ear aches/pains, facial pain, and bad migraines. In severe cases, patients can even feel pain in the chest, back and shoulders.
· Jaw Mobility and Range of Motion
While TMJ issues are mainly characterized by chronic and acute pain, these disorders can affect many of your normal daily activities. TMJ issues can often prevent an individual from properly chewing and speaking properly, as they are known to affect the range of motion of one’s jaw. Certain movements required to form specific words can become restricted.
· Bruxism and Other Causes
There are a number of different causes that can lead to TMJ disorders. As the top dentist Massapequa has treating TMJ issues, Dr. Ritter sees a variety of different injuries or traumatic events lead to TMJ problems. For instance, falling on your back, neck, or shoulders can cause issues within the joint and lead to chronic TMJ pain. Another major cause of TMJ disorders is known as Bruxism or grinding your teeth. Many individuals grind their teeth as a nervous habit and this can wear down the teeth, and over time cause immense jaw pain.
· Stress and Other Lifestyle Habits
Bruxism, as we previously mentioned is often a root cause of TMJ issues, and tooth grinding is often directly correlated to stress. One of the main symptoms of stress related Bruxism, is constantly clenching and unclenching of the jaw joint – this wears out the joint and weakens it over time. Another issue that affects TMJ disorders is your diet. In many instances, TMJ issues are caused by an overworked jaw – a result of having to chew tough, harder foods. One tip is to try and eat softer foods, that require less chewing, giving the jaw a break.
If you are experiencing severe jaw pain, you might be suffering from a TMJ disorder, and it is important to seek treatment as soon as possible. For more information on TMJ issues or to schedule your next appointment contact Ritter Family Dental Today.