TMD is notoriously hard to diagnose because so many of the symptoms are also attributable to other problems. However, the biggest problem with getting a correct TMD diagnosis is that most medical professionals are not trained to recognize TMD and simply do not understand the condition. That is why patients need to seek specialists like us or dentists with specialized training in TMD and TMJ-related issues.
Dr. Sep answers some very interesting questions in his latest informative video. If you have been thinking about straightening your teeth with Invisaligh® clear aligners, you will want to hear what he has to say. Watch the entire video here, and keep reading for a breakdown of his comments.
A patient with a TMJ disorder must navigate life differently than someone with a healthy jaw joint. They carefully avoid certain foods and activities they know will cause their symptoms to flare up. One thing they cannot avoid is yawning, an innocuous, involuntary action if you have a healthy jaw joint but a potential problem for someone with TMD. Yawning with TMD can exacerbate existing pain and tension, cause popping, or result in the jaw locking open, all of which are uncomfortable, to say the least. So, what should you do if you suffer from TMD and need to yawn?
Your jaw is a complex joint system that plays a crucial role in everyday activities like eating, speaking, and expressing emotions. When your jaw is working properly, you may not give it much thought. However, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder can significantly impact jaw function, affecting your oral health and your overall well-being. Let’s explore what a healthy jaw looks and feels like and how TMJ can affect jaw function.
Joint Vibration Analysis (JVA) is vital for diagnosing TMJ disorders. This handy test picks up any noise or vibrations the jaw joint makes as it moves. A healthy jaw joint should move smoothly, without popping, clicking, or grinding, and have full range of motion. A JVA is a non-invasive screening we perform in our office to properly diagnose you if we suspect you have TMD.
Do you often feel stressed in your daily life? It is not uncommon to feel stress from time to time, especially if you are going through something troubling in your life. There are also many people who have high-pressure jobs. Perhaps you have a major event in your life, such as an upcoming wedding, that is causing you to feel overwhelmed. If you feel that you are regularly stressed, it can cause serious problems with your health. Stress can lead to problems such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes.
Everyone has good and bad habits. We have to hope that our good habits outweigh the bad and that our bad habits don’t cause damage or discomfort. Unfortunately, if you suffer from TMJ disorder, there are certain habits that can cause your symptoms to flare up. It can be hard to break bad habits, especially if they are things that you have been doing for many years, but to help your overall health, it is in your best interest to make some changes, even though they may be difficult. Here are some habits that may cause problems with TMJ:
We are passionate about providing the care our patients need to overcome the discomfort of living with TMJ disorder. Unfortunately, TMJ disorder has many symptoms that mimic other medical conditions, often leaving patients without a proper diagnosis. For example, you may be experiencing headaches and facial discomfort.
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.
