Are You Familiar With TMJ?
Do you regularly experience discomfort in your jaw, and is it affecting your daily life? Or do you wake up with unexplained headaches every day? If so, you may be experiencing temporomandibular joint disorder. Unfortunately, many adults are never properly diagnosed, and their condition and symptoms remain untreated. Our practice is designed to help patients who suffer from TMJ get the treatment they need to live their lives to the fullest.
What is TMJ?
TMJ stands for the temporomandibular joint, which is the ball and socket joint that attaches the lower jaw to the base of the skull. If you place your fingers on the back of your jaw near your ear and open your mouth, you can feel the temporomandibular joint move. The condition that affects this joint is commonly referred to as TMD, or temporomandibular joint disorder. This condition affects not only the temporomandibular joint but also the jaw and facial muscles as well. Patients who suffer from this chronic condition are often in a constant state of discomfort.
Symptoms of TMJ
TMJ patients are often misdiagnosed because many of the common symptoms may be the same as those of other conditions. Patients often visit a different medical practitioner looking for a diagnosis and are confused when they are not getting relief from their symptoms. For example, someone may be experiencing constant discomfort in their ears and think they may have an ear infection. When they visit a medical professional, there is no sign of an infection or problem in the ear. TMJ symptoms can include:
- Headaches, neck, or shoulder pain
- Clicking or popping in the jaw
- Jaw discomfort or pain
- Locked jaw
- Teeth grinding
- Discomfort or ringing in the ears
- Difficulty chewing and swallowing
If you or a loved one is suffering from one or more of the symptoms above and are located in London, Ontario or the surrounding area, be sure to contact our office to learn more about how we can help you improve your quality of life. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
