If you have noticed a lack of mobility, pain, and a popping sound located in the region where your neck meets your jaw, you possibly have temporomandibular pain or temporomandibular disorder (TMJ pain, and TMJ disorder, for short). Both of these issues can cause you pain while speaking or eating.
There are several ways to develop TMJ pain. If you have bad posture, it can lead to a strain on the neck muscles which can lead to a strain in the jaw. TMJ disorder can also be attributed to an inflammation of the joint from overworking from things like jaw clenching and teeth grinding. If you have TMJ pain or disorder, don’t worry, Dr. Marla Wilson has treatment options available.
Your treatment will be dependent on how you developed your TMJ pain. There are things you can do at home to help, such as relaxation techniques to rid yourself of stress that could be contributing to your muscle strains. Regular exercise is useful for helping cases where bad body posture is the cause of the TMJ pain. In addition, using a heat treatment on the affected area is also useful.
Sometimes, TMJ pain is caused by your teeth’s alignment and will need orthodontic treatments such as braces. On rare occasions, surgery may be necessary for treatment.
For more information about TMJ disorder, or for scheduling an appointment with our dentist, please call Premier Dental Care in Indianapolis, Indiana today.