Relieve Headaches and Jaw Pain with TMJ Pain Treatment
Do you have persistent jaw pain and tension headaches? If the culprit is temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD), Blunn Creek Family Dentistry is excited to offer effective treatment in Austin, Texas. Dr. Kunjumary “Mary” Kolathu uses customized nightguards to help you get the pain relief you deserve. Don’t wait for jaw pain to worsen. Schedule your appointment today!
What are the symptoms of TMJ pain?
Everyone has two temporomandibular joints (TMJs) on either side of the face, just in front of the ears. The TMJs connect the lower jaw to the skull and act as hinges, allowing your mouth to open and close for eating, speaking, yawning, and other activities. Healthy TMJs work so seamlessly that you hardly notice them. However, when inflamed, strained, or injured, TMJs can lead to several unpleasant symptoms, including:
- Constant headaches
- Ringing in the ears (tinnitus)
- Jaw pain, soreness, or tenderness
- Neck, shoulder, and upper back pain
- Locked jaws
- Clicking and popping jaw sounds
- Painful chewing
The symptoms of TMJ pain can range from mild to severe. While minor issues can resolve on their own, visit your Austin TMJ dentist if the discomfort persists or affects your daily activities.
What causes TMJ disorder?
TMJ disorder can develop for several reasons, and often it’s not just one single cause. Common culprits include:
- Bruxism: Chronic teeth grinding and clenching overwork the jaw muscles and joints, leading to soreness, stiffness, and pain.
- Misaligned teeth: When your teeth don’t occlude properly, your jaw joints overwork to compensate for the imbalance, causing jaw pain over time.
- Stress: Many people unconsciously tense their jaw when they are anxious or overwhelmed.
- Trauma: Injury to the jaw, head, or neck can damage the joint.
Understanding the cause of your jaw pain is key to finding lasting relief. When your doctor identifies the underlying issue, they can recommend targeted treatments that address the problem rather than just the symptoms.
How do you diagnose TMJ disorder?
A proper diagnosis is the key to effective treatment because TMJ pain can be easily misdiagnosed as migraines, ear infections, or sinusitis. Dr. Mary diagnoses TMJ pain through a combination of a detailed health history, a clinical exam, and imaging.
Your dentist will discuss your symptoms and physically examine your jaws for limited mobility, tenderness, and unusual sounds. If necessary, we may use imaging such as digital X-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to evaluate the jaw joints and surrounding structures.
How do you treat TMJ pain?
Our office has several treatment options for TMJ pain, depending on the cause. A nightguard is often the first line of treatment if the underlying cause of TMD is bruxism (chronic teeth grinding). This custom-made appliance protects your teeth from grinding and clenching while reducing strain on the jaw joints.
There’s no one-size-fits-all treatment for TMJ disorder. Dr. Mary may also recommend lifestyle changes, orthodontics, and medication to provide relief. We’ll walk with you until we find a solution that works for you.
Laser Targeted pain therapy for tmj – the temporary increase in local blood circulation; and the temporary relaxation of muscle.
Where can I find a TMJ dentist near Austin, TX?
Living with TMD can affect your everyday life. The team at Blunn Creek Family Dentistry is here to help you reclaim your healthy, pain-free life with non-surgical, yet effective, treatment. If you have TMJ pain, dial (512) 788-9282 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Mary. Your path to pain relief starts here!
