Ease Your TMJ Troubles With A London Bridge Visit

Ease Your TMJ Troubles With A London Bridge Visit

18 / 08 / 2014

TMJ disorder is a fairly common problem, which many people are completely unaware of until they discuss their symptoms with a dentist. The term TMJ disorder relates to pain and other symptoms, including clicking and cracking noises, stiffness and a lack of mobility, in the temporomandibular joint. This is a very active joint, which joins the bottom jaw to the skull. You can feel the joint in action if you put your fingers on the side of the face in front of the ears and then move your jaw.

TMJ disorder is not usually a serious problem, but it can be very painful and if it affects you on a persistent basis, this can be distressing and inconvenient. At London Bridge Dental, we are here to ease your TMJ troubles and ensure you start every day completely pain free.

What are the symptoms of TMJ disorder?

Common symptoms of TMJ disorder include pain in and around the joint, headaches, ear ache, stiffness in the joint, limited movement in the joint, clicking and popping noises and neck and shoulder pain.

Often, many people experience these symptoms when they first wake up in the morning.

What causes TMJ disorder?

There are various possible causes of TMJ disorder and one common problem is bruxism; this is the medical name for tooth grinding. Grinding the teeth damages the tooth surfaces, but it also increases pressure and tension on the muscles around the jaws and this can contribute to stiffness, pain and headaches.

We provide treatment for bruxism, including using bite guards, which are custom-made appliances, which prevent the upper and lower teeth from clashing together when you sleep. Bruxism is often linked to stress and we can also offer tips for dealing with stress.